WILD  FLOWERS 

EveryChild  Should  Know 

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WILD    FLOWERS 


WILD    FLOWERS 

Every   Child   Should   Know 

ARRANGED  ACCORDING  TO  COLOR  WITH  RELIABLE 
DESCRIPTIONS  OF  THE  MORE  COMMON 
SPECIES     OF    THE    UNITED    STATES   AND    CANADA 


^BY= 


FREDERIC   WILLIAM   STACK 

Formerly  Field  Collector  for  Museums  of  Scientific 

Section  of  Vassar  Brothers  Institute,   and  of 

Natural  History  at  Vassar  College 


Illustrated  by 

Fifty-nine  Photographs  Direct  from  Nature 

Four  in  Color 


New  York 

Doubleday,   Page  &  Company 

1909 


ALL  RIGHTS  RESERVED,  INCLUDING  THAT  OF  TRANSLATION 
INTO  FOREIGN  LANGUAGES,  INCLUDING  THE  SCANDINAVIAN 


COPYRIGHT,   I90Q,  BY  DOUBLEDAY,  PAGE  &  COMPANY 
PUBLISHED,  MAY,    I9O9 


FREDERIC  EARLE  ROCKFELLOW  STACK 

TO  YOU,  MY  BOY 

WHOSE  INTEREST  IN  WILD  FLOWEES  PROMPTED  THE  PURPOSE 

OF   THIS   VOLUME    AND  WHOSE    DELIGHTFUL    COMPANIONSHIP 

UADE  THE  WORK  A  PLEASURE 

TO  YOU  "sunny  JIm" 

THIS  BOOK  IS  MOST  AFFECTIONATELY  DEDICATED 


PREFACE 

Wild  Flower  study  is  a  pursuit  fraught  with  pleasure 
and  with: 

"  Health  that  mocks  the  doctor's  rules." 

It  does  not  require  a  preparatory  course  nor  any  special 
instruction  to  become  acquainted  with  the  more  com- 
mon Wild  Flowers  and  their  individual  traits.  Every 
dooryard  and  field,  wayside,  mountain  and  valley, 
from  the  polar  regions  to  the  tropics,  and  from  ocean 
to  ocean,  abounds  in  these  free-born  gifts  of  Nature. 
There  can  be  no  reason  why  every  one  should  not 
become  acquainted  with  and  enjoy  them.  The  descrip- 
tions which  follow  are,  therefore,  intended  to  bring 
those  seeking  information  on  this  subject  into  contact 
with  the  more  common  species  in  the  most  direct  and 
interesting  manner.  The  book  includes  many  simple 
accounts  of  plant  and  flower  connection  with  history, 
medicine,  and  legend,  together  with  bits  of  folk-lore 
and  poetry.  The  time  of  flowering,  the  range  and 
locality  where  each  flower  may  be  sought,  are 
given,  and,  above  all,  the  author  aims  first  and  last 
to  interest  and  instruct  those  who  seek  ready  and 
reliable  information  on  the  subject.  Hundre'ds  of 
notes  recorded  in  the  descriptions  contained  herein 
were  made  on  the  spot  where  the  plants  were  growing 
naturally,  and  many  of  the  descriptions  were  written 

vii 


PREFACE  WILD  FLOWERS 

beside  the  actual  flowers  in  various  parts  of  the  country, 
and  in  all  sorts  of  weather  and  conditions.  They 
are  here  told  in  much  the  same  spirit  as  they  might 
be  related  to  an  acquaintance  afield.  The  flowers 
have  been  arranged  in  five  distinct  groups,  according 
to  colour,  as  this  is,  without  doubt,  the  simplest  and 
quickest  method  of  arriving  at  a  definite  means  of 
identification. 

The  flowers  are  divided  first,  according  to  colour, 
then,  according  to  natural  classification.  Since  flowers 
are  exceedingly  variable  in  colour,  and  in  no  case 
constant,  it  is  difficult  to  arrive  at  their  true  colour 
value;  and,  besides,  most  persons  have  their  own  ideas 
regarding  colours.  Purple,  for  instance,  ranges  from 
lightest  to  darkest  blue,  but  is  more  or  less  generally 
understood  to  be  a  reddish  blue,  and  it  is  largely  a 
matter  of  qualifying  its  shade.  Therefore,  the  simple 
primary  colours  have  been  selected  as  a  basis,  and  the 
flowers  have  been  arbitrarily  divided  into  Red,  Pink, 
Yellow  and  Orange,  Greenish  and  White,  and  Blue  and 
Purple  groups.  The  student  is  thus  enabled  to  turn 
immediately  to  the  group  of  any  particular  flower  he 
may  desire,  according  to  its  dominating  colour,  without 
searching  through  an  indefinite  mass  of  descriptive 
matter.  A  small  magnifying  glass  will  reveal  wonders 
as  remarkable  as  those  of  fairyland.  Such  a  glass, 
together  with  a  few  needles  and  a  sharp  penknife  for 
dissecting  the  specimens,  makes  a  satisfactory  outfit 
for  general  study.  A  small  note-book  for  records  and 
a  tin  collecting  box  are  also  strongly  recommended. 

viii 


WILD  FLOWERS  preface 

Specimens  may  be  pressed  in  books  or  between  blotters, 
and  mounted  on  cards  when  dry,  with  thin  strips  of 
court-plaster,  and  neatly  labeled  with  date,  and  locality. 
The  scientific  names  and  classification  in  the  text 
follow  the  method  adopted  by  the  International 
Botanical  Congress  at  Vienna,  June,  1905,  and  now 
incorporated  in  the  new  seventh  edition  of  "  Gray's 
Manual,"  most  extensively  used  as  the  class  text-book 
in  the  public  schools,  thus  appealing  strongly  to 
both  teacher  and  student  by  its  uniform  system  of 
nomenclature.  Two  Indexes  are  provided  —  one  for 
the  Common  names  and  one  for  the  Latin,  which 
have  been  separated  to  avoid  confusion  and  to 
facilitate  ready  reference.  Technical  terms  have 
been  simplified  or  disregarded  wherever  possible,  and 
the  few  which  have  been  retained  are  defined  in  the 
Glossary  at  the  end  of  the  text.  In  order  to  assist 
in  the  pronunciation  of  the  Latin  names  the  vowels 
have  been  accented.  The  grave  or  long  (^)  accent 
signifies  the  long  vowels;  the  acute  or  short  ('),  short 
vowels.  Naturally,  many  references  have  been  made 
to  various  works  on  this  comprehensive  subject. 
"  Gray's  Manual,"  and  Britton  and  Brown's  "  Illus- 
trated Flora "  have  been  freely  consulted.  The 
colours,  descriptions,  common  names  and  ranges 
are  usually  in  strict  accordance  with  these  authorities, 
to  which  I  especially  desire  to  extend  full  acknowl- 
edgment. I  am  also  very  grateful  for  the  unlimited 
and  professional  advice  extended  by  Herman  Merkle, 
Chief   Forester   of   the   New  York  Zoological    Park, 

ix 


PREFACE  WILD  FLOWERS 

Wilhelm  Miller,  Leonard  Barron,  and  the  many  other 
personal  friends  who  have  assisted  me. 

To  my  dear  mother,  who  has  always  encouraged 
me  in  my  Nature  studies;  to  my  loving  wife,  for  her 
help,  at  home  and  afield,  with  notes  and  specimens; 
and  to  my  bonny  boy,  whose  many  inquiries  have 
suggested  this  undertaking,  I  owe  my  everlasting 
gratitude  and  affection. 

Frederic  William  Stack. 

New  Rochelle,  N.  Y.  April,  1909. 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 


Preface vii 

Illustrations xiii 

Section  I 
Red  Flowers i 

Section  II 

Pink  Flowers 27 

Flower  Forms   .......         92 

Section  III 
Yellow  and  Orange  Flowers      ....        93 
Leaf  and  Root  Forms 202 

Section  IV 
White  and  Greenish  Flowers     ....       203 

Section  V 
Blue  and  Purple  Flowers 317 

Glossary  and  Indexes 

Glossary  of  Botanical  Terms  .        .         .  393 

Index  to  Latin  Names 396 

Index  to  Common  Names  ....  401 

xi 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

COLOURED  PLATES 

Dandelion Frontispiece 

Oswego  Tea 40 

Butter  and  Eggs 164 

Fringed  Gentian 344 

HALF-TONE   PLATES 

Skunk  Cabbage 16 

Wood  Lily 17 

Wild  Columbine 32 

Pitcher-Plant ZZ 

Pinesap 48 

Indian  Pipe 48 

Scarlet  Painted  Cup          .....  49 

Wood  Betony 64 

Cardinal  Flower 65 

Moccasin  Flower 80 

Bouncing  Bet 81 

Meadow  Clover 96 

White  Azalea 97 

Pink  Azalea 97 

Trailing  Arbutus 112 

Shooting  Star 113 

Milkweed  ( summer  and  autumn )     .         .         .128 
Turtlehead        .        ,        .        .        c        o        .129 

xiii 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


WILD  FLOWERS 


Joe  Pye  Weed  . 
Meadow  Lily    . 
Yellow  Adder's  Tongue 
Great  Mullen    . 
Evening  Primrose 
Whorled  Loosestrife 
Butterfly  Weed 
Downy  False  Foxglov 
Golden  Aster     . 
Canada  Goldenrod 
Black-eyed  Susan 
Tansy 

Rattlesnake  Weed 
Large-flowered  Wake  Rob 
Painted  Wake  Robin 
Rue  Anemone    . 
Meadow  Violet 
May  Apple 
Bloodroot 

Dutchman's  Breeches 
Meadow-sweet 
Yarrow 
Heal-all     . 
Sweet  White  Violet 
Wild  Carrot      . 
Boneset     . 
White  Wood  Aster 
May  Weed 
Blue-eyed  Grass 
Ox-eye  Daisy     . 


XIV 


WILD  FLOWERS 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


Large  Purple-fringed  Orchis 

Hepatica    . 

Closed  Gentian 

Great  Lobelia  . 

New  York  Aster 

Purple-stem  Aster 

Blue  Sailors 

Flower  Forms  . 
Leaf  and  Root  Forms 


337 
352 

353 
368 

369 
384 
38s 

92 

202 


PHOTOGRAPHS    BY 

A.  Radclyffe  Dugmore,    Henry  Troth 
Nathan  R.  Graves,  The  Author  and  others 


XV 


Section  I 
RED   FLOWERS 


WILD   FLOWERS 


JACK=IN=THE=PULPIT.    INDIAN  TURNIP 

Arisaema  triphyllum.     Arum  Family. 

HERE  is  a  floral  jack-in-the-box  that  has  been  a 
delight  to  every  child  east  of  the  Mississippi 
Valley  since  Columbus  popularized  American  tours. 
And  its  bright  red  berries  and  large,  solid  bulb  tickled 
the  palates  of  our  dear  old  Indians  many  years  previous 
to  this  great  and  most  eventful  proposition.  There 
is  nothing  solemn  about  this  curiously  constructed 
flower  —  indeed,  it  is  very  amusing,  if  not  ridiculous. 
Jack  is  not  a  preacher.  Far  from  it  —  he  is  a  peeper, 
popping  up  here  and  there  in  shady  nooks  where  he 
erects  his  artistic  summer  house,  and  is  ever  on  the 
lookout  to  surprise  us  in  our  woodland  rambles  during 
May.  The  violently  acrid  bulb  is  exceeding  fiery  to 
the  taste,  and  has  been  used  as  a  remedy  for  asthma, 
whooping-cough  and  rheumatism. 

The  Indian  Turnip  is  a  perennial  herb,  and  grows 
from  about  one  to  three  feet  in  height.  Each  plant 
bears  one  or  two  large,  spreading,  three-parted  leaves, 
which  overtop  the  flower  hood.  The  strongly  ribbed, 
broad,  oval  leaflets  taper  at  the  tip,  and  are  set  on  long, 
round,  smooth  stems,  that  are  sheathed  toward  the 

3 


RED  WILD  FLOWERS 

foot.  The  insignificant  and  inconspicuous  yellow 
flowers  are  clustered  around  the  base  of  a  slender  green 
club  or  spadix,  which  is  seated  within  a  deep,  leaf-like 
cornucopia  whose  broad,  tapering  tip  is  gracefully 
curved  over  the  erect,  protruding  head  of  the  green 
"  Jack."  This  leafy  formation  is  known  as  the  spathe, 
and  answers  to  the  white  floral  part  of  the  familiar 
Calla  Lily.  It  is  green,  with  darker  green  or  purple 
stripes,  and  is  seated  upon  the  end  of  a  stout  stem, 
which  springs  from  between  the  sheaths  of  the  leaf 
stems.  In  the  fall,  the  short,  stiff,  club-like  clusters  of 
bright  scarlet,  berry-like  fruit  are  very  attractive.  Jack 
is  found  commonly  in  rich,  moist  woods  and  thickets 
from  Nova  Scotia  to  Florida,  and  west  to  Ontario, 
Minnesota,  Kansas,  and  Louisiana. 

SKUNK  CABBAGE 

Symplocarpus  foetidus.     Arum  Family. 

Time  and  again  it  has  been  found  convenient  for 
aesthetic  purposes  to  disregard  the  comely  Skunk 
Cabbage  in  reckoning  on  the  first  or  earliest  of  our 
spring  wild  flowers  to  blossom.  But  the  Hepatica 
and  its  host  of  admirers  must  content  themselves 
with  at  best  second  place,  as  the  first  honour  is  honestly 
earned  by  the  former  flower.  It  is  very  frequently 
found  in  full  bloom,  with  yellow  pollen,  in  February, 
and  it  is  not  at  all  uncommon  to  record  its  occurrence 
in  January.  It  is  not  generally  known  that  the  low- 
twisted,  one-sided,  hood-like  and  purple  stained  spikes, 
which  pierce  the  muck  and  ooze,  or  even  water  and 

4 


WILD  FLOWERS  red 

ice,  in  wet  swampy  places  very  early  in  the  spring,  are 
really  floral  huts,  and  that  if  one  slips  his  finger  in  the 
side  opening  he  is  very  likely  to  find  out  that 
important  business  is  being  transacted  therein.  If 
golden  grains  of  pollen  adhere  to  the  finger  when 
withdrawn,  it  is  positive  proof  of  the  flower's  maturity. 
True  enough,  they  are  unattractive  and  unpleasantly 
scented;  nevertheless,  it  cannot  be  denied  that  they 
are  very  interesting  and  figure  prominently  in  the 
earliest  rambles  of  the  year.  It  is  also  interesting  to 
know  that  its  stout,  mottled,  horn-like  hood  is  identical 
in  capacity  with  the  white  cup  of  the  Calla  Lily,  to 
which  it  is  related.  The  acrid  root  of  the  Skunk 
Cabbage  has  been  used  as  a  remedy  for  asthma,  catarrh, 
rheumatism,  nervousness  and  hysteria.  This  plant 
grows  with  a  rank,  tropical  vigour,  and  its  profuse, 
bright  green  foliage  becomes  a  highly  decorative 
feature  in  our  Eastern  lowlands  during  the  summer. 
The  strongly  ribbed,  rather  thin  and  smooth,  firm- 
textured  leaves  grow  in  large,  cabbage-like  crowns, 
and  vary  in  length  from  one  to  three  feet.  They  have 
an  entire  margin,  and  are  broadly  egg-  or  heart-shaped, 
with  a  blunt  tip.  They  do  not  unfold  until  after  the 
flowering  period,  and  are  set  on  short,  deeply  grooved 
stems.  Numerous  tiny,  four-parted,  greenish-yellow 
to  purplish-brown  florets  are  densely  gathered  on  a 
short,  thick,  rounded  and  fleshy  club  or  spadix,  which 
is  hidden  within  the  large,  thick,  purple  lined,  shell- 
like hood.  The  spadix  finally  enlarges  and  becomes 
somewhat  spongy,   and   encloses  numerous  bulb-like 

5 


RED  WILD  FLOWERS 

berries  which  turn  to  a  bright  scarlet  in  the  fall.  Fre- 
quently two  or  three  flower-heads  spring  up  together 
with  the  lightly  rolled  leaf,  all  protected  with  several 
dingy,  sheathing  leaflets.  Every  part  of  the  plant 
emits  a  foetid  odour,  and  reminds  one  of  the  offensive 
smell  attached  to  the  Purple  Trillium  and  Carrion 
Flower.  The  flowers  may  be  found  from  January  to 
April,  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Ontario  and  Minnesota, 
and  south  to  Florida  and  Iowa. 

RED,  WOOD,    FLAME    OR    PHILADELPHIA    LILY 

Lilium  philadelphicutn.     Lily  Family. 

The  beautiful  upright,  flaring  cups  of  the  Wood 
Lily,  appearing  like  the  flaming  torches  of  classical 
Rome,  enlighten  our  upland  meadows,  dry  woods 
and  thicket  borders  during  June  and  July.  It  ranks 
among  our  most  showy  and  attractive  flowers.  The 
single,  smooth  and  slender  stalk  is  leafy  above  the 
middle,  and  grows  from  one  to  three  feet  tall,  from 
a  bulb  of  narrow-jointed,  fleshy  scales.  The  thin, 
smooth  and  narrow  lance-shaped  leaves  taper  toward 
either  end,  and  are  stemless  and  finely  rough-margined. 
They  occur  in  whorls  of  from  three  to  eight  at  regular 
intervals  along  the  stalk,  or  a  few  of  them  alternate 
on  it.  From  one  to  five  large,  reddish  orange  or 
flame-coloured  flowers  spring  erectly  from  the  top  of 
the  stalk  on  separate  stems.  The  neck  of  each  flower- 
bell  is  distinctly  opened  by  the  sudden  narrowing  of 
the  lower  part  of  each  of  the  six  separate,  partly  flared 
and   curved,   petal-like  parts,    into    slender,  stemlike 

6 


WILD  FLOWERS  red 

bases.  Each  part  broadens  decidedly  toward  the  end, 
and  finally  tapers  to  a  blunt  tip.  Within,  on  the  upper 
parts  of  the  divisions,  the  colouring  becomes  more 
intense,  and,  at  some  distance  from  the  tips  is  spotted 
with  dark  purple  and  tinged  with  yellow.  The 
six  long  pink  stamens  and  pistil  have  brown  tips, 
and  add  greatly  to  the  attractiveness  of  the  blossom. 
This  magnificent  Lily  is  found  from  Maine  to  Ontario, 
and  south  to  North  Carolina  and  west  to  Virginia. 

LARGE  CORAL=ROOT 

Corallorrhtza  maculata.     Orchid  Family. 

This  late-blooming  Coral-root  is  more  pretentious 
than  the  following  species,  and  its  brownish-purple 
blossoms  are  fragrant  and  more  Orchid-like.  The 
stouter  flower  stalk  is  stained  with  purple,  and  grows 
from  eight  to  twenty  inches  high,  bearing  several 
tight-fitting  scales  in  place  of  leaves.  From  ten  to 
thirty  erect  flowers  are  gathered  in  a  terminal  spike. 
The  petals  are  narrow  and  somewhat  spotted,  and, 
together  with  the  sepals,  are  slightly  united  at  the 
base.  The  deeply  three-lobed  oval  lip  is  wavy-edged, 
and  its  colour  is  white,  spotted  and  lined  with  purple. 
The  middle  lobe  is  broadest  and  the  apex  is  curved. 
The  yellowish  spur  is  rudimentary,  and  the  plant 
bears  no  leaves.  The  large,  much  branched  root  is 
strikingly  coral-like  in  shape.  This  parasite  is 
found  blooming  in  woods  from  July  to  September, 
and  ranges  from  Florida,  Missouri,  and  California 
northward  into  the  fur  countries.     Occasionally,  pale 

7 


RED  WILD  FLOWERS 

flowers  may  be  found,  without  the  usual  spotting  on 
the  hp,  petals  or  sepals. 

EARLY  CORAL=ROOT 

Corallorrhiza  trtfida.     Orchid  Family. 

This  leafless  Orchid  is  remarkable  for  its  lack  of 
chlorophyll,  or  green  colouring  matter,  and  for  its 
curious  mass  of  pinkish  brown  coral-like  roots  which 
absorb  nourishment  from  other  roots  and  refuse  vege- 
table matter.  On  this  account  they  are  known  as 
parasites  or  saprophytes.  The  slender  flower  stalk 
grows  a  foot  or  less  in  height,  and  bears  two  or  three 
closely  sheathing,  purplish  scales.  The  minute  flowers 
resemble  dried  seed  cases  at  first  sight.  They  are  a  dull, 
dingy  purple,  and  from  three  to  twelve  hang  or  droop 
from  the  stalk  in  a  loose,  terminal  spike-like  arrange- 
ment. They  are  nearly  spurless,  and  the  whitish 
lip,  which  is  shorter  than  the  quarter-inch  sepals  and 
petals,  is  toothed  at  the  base,  and  slightly  notched  at  the 
apex.  This  inconspicuous  species  is  found  during 
May  and  June,  preferably  in  wet,  evergreen  woods, 
from  Alaska  to  California,  and  eastward  to  Nova 
Scotia;  thence  south  to  Minnesota,  Ohio,  New  Jer- 
sey, and  along  the  mountains  to  Georgia. 

WILD    GINGER,    ASARABACCA.     CANADA 
SNAKEROOT 

Asarum  canadense.     Birthwort  Family. 

How  like  the  "babes  in  the  wood"  are  the  curious- 
looking  flowers  of  the  Wild  Ginger,  as  they  lie  closely 


WILD  FLOWERS  red 

snuggled  to  the  bosom  of  Mother  Earth,  obscurely 
sheltered  by  their  own  velvety-green  leaves!  The 
casual  observer  would  never  dream  of  their  presence 
amid  the  cool,  thrifty,  green  masses  of  their  heart- 
shaped  foliage  that,  ruglike,  cover  partially  shaded 
nooks  in  rich,  open  woodland,  along  moist,  stony  slopes. 
The  exceedingly  odd  flowers  have  a  peculiar  habit  of 
growing  partly  buried,  frequendy  face  downward,  in 
the  accumulation  of  bleached  and  decaying  litter  about 
them.  They  are  sombre-hued,  and  harmonize  so 
cleverly  with  their  musty  surroundings  as  to  appear 
tolerably  inconspicuous.  Even  if  we  should  crouch 
on  our  knees  and  part  the  foliage,  it  would  require  a 
second  sharp  look  to  discover  the  solitary  and  some- 
what bell-shaped  blossoms.  All  parts  of  the  plant 
emit  an  aromatic  fragrance  when  bruised,  strongly 
suggesting  that  of  ginger,  from  which  it  received  its 
common  name.  The  odour  is  at  once  pleasing  and 
refreshing.  The  roots  yield  a  volatile  oil  now  extensively 
used  in  the  manufacture  of  perfumery.  The  dried 
roots  are  sold  at  the  druggists,  as  Canada  Snakeroot, 
and  country  people  make  decoctions  from  them  for 
relieving  stomach  ache.  Usually,  two  long-stemmed, 
dark  green  leaves  rise  from  a  stout,  fibrous,  creeping 
rootstock.  They  are  thin-textured,  blunt-pointed,  and 
have  two  very  large  lobes  at  their  base.  They  are 
broadly  heart-  or  kidney-shaped,  and  their  margins  are 
toothless.  Their  surface  is  strongly  creased  with  numer- 
ous ribs  and  veinings.  The  stumpy,  short-stemmed 
flower  has  no  petals,  and  springs  from  between  the 

9 


RED  WILD  FLOWERS 

base  of  the  leaf  stems.  The  slightly  angular,  bell- 
shaped  calyx  is  exceedingly  thick  and  fleshy,  and  is 
covered  with  minute  hairs.  Its  upper  part  is  divided 
into  three  short-pointed  lobes  which,  at  first,  are 
incurved,  then  become  widely  spread,  and  form  a  tri- 
angular outline.  The  edges  are  also  curved  outward. 
Their  base  forms  a  cup  around  the  short,  thick,  six- 
parted  pistil,  which  is  surrounded  with  a  dozen  stamens. 
It  is  stained  with  purple  and  olive  brown,  and  is  found 
from  April  to  June,  from  New  Brunswick  to  Manitoba, 
and  south  to  North  Carolina,  Missouri,  and  Kansas. 

WILD  COLUMBINE 

Aquilegia  canadensis.     Crowfoot  Family. 

There  is  probably  nothing  else  in  the  world  so 
exhilarating  as  a  breath  of  pure,  woodsy,  spring  atmos- 
phere on  a  balmy  day  during  the  blithesome  month  of 
May,  when  everything  out-of-doors  is  stretching  and 
preparing  once  more  for  the  good  old  summer  time. 
Thus  sing  the  poets,  and  it  is  especially  true  when  one 
is  privileged  to  nestle  in  admiration  among  the  dried 
leaves  and  rocks  beside  the  Wild  Columbine,  for  this 
exquisite  flower  possesses  such  an  unusually  charming 
and  vigorous  air  at  this  time  that,  altogether,  it  warms 
the  heart,  quickens  the  pulse,  and  thrills  the  beholder 
with  a  genuine  glow  of  pleasure  and  happiness. 
Unfortunately,  however,  the  Columbines  are  becoming 
more  exclusive  each  year,  owing  to  the  great  tempta- 
tion one  experiences  to  pluck  them,  and  to  the  still 
greater  yielding  to  this  temptation  by  careless  persons 

lo 


WILD  FLOWERS  red 

who  roam  the  woods  in  the  springtime,  not  to  admire 
and  study  Nature,  but  to  gather  wild  flowers  thought- 
lessly and  without  discretion  for  the  mere  sake  of  a 
bouquet.  From  the  very  nature  of  their  surroundings, 
these  plants  are  not  always  deeply  and  strongly  rooted 
and  as  their  stems  are  firm  and  wiry,  the  entire  plant 
is  likely  to  be  uprooted  with  the  flower  when  it  is  roughly 
plucked,  and  then,  of  course,  it  is  left  to  perish.  The 
early  wild  flowers  seem  to  have  selected  the  Columbines 
for  their  reception  committee,  and  to  have  stationed 
them  along  the  rocky  balconies  of  woodland  ridges 
during  their  spring  festival,  to  extend  a  hearty  welcome 
to  all  strangers  who  happen  to  pass  within  nodding 
distance  of  their  abode.  If  this  should  be  true  of  the 
Columbines,  it  is  certain  that  they  fulfil  their  social 
obligation  gracefully  and  without  fear  or  favour, 
greeting  old  friends  and  acquaintances  here  and  there 
with  cheerful  nods  and  bows,  or  courtesying  with 
becoming  dignity,  this  way  or  that,  to  new  callers,  as 
occasion  requires.  They  seem  tireless  in  their  delight- 
ful efforts  to  make  one  feel  at  home,  and  they  are 
always  found  extending  the  right  hand  of  good- 
fellowship  to  all  visitors  alike.  Perhaps  this  has  some 
bearing  on  the  recent  discussion  regarding  the  selection 
of  the  Columbine  for  our  national  flower,  for  we  know 
that  Uncle  Sam  has  always  welcomed  the  immigrants 
from  every  clime  with  the  same  impartial  hospitality 
and  goodwill.  Popularly  the  common  name,  Colum- 
bine, is  not  far  removed  from  Columbia,  the  Goddess 
of  Liberty  and  "the  gem  of  the  ocean,"  when  standing 

II 


RED  WILD  FLOWERS 

for  freedom  and  justice.  Columbine  is  derived  from 
the  Latin,  columba  —  a  dove.  Dr.  Prior  likens  the 
resemblance  of  its  spurs  to  the  heads  of  pigeons  in  a 
ring  around  a  dish,  which  was  a  favourite  device  of 
ancient  artists.  The  national  flower  sympathizers, 
however,  apply  the  dove  significance  to  our  olive 
branch  of  peace,  with  the  long  spurs  imitating  the  horn 
of  plenty  and  the  liberty  cap.  There  is  some  uncer- 
tainty regarding  the  meaning  of  the  scientific  name. 
One  account  states  that  it  is  from  aquilegus,  or  water 
drawing,  while  another  says  that  it  is  aquila,  an  eagle, 
and  that  the  five  long  pointed  spurs  of  the  flower  re- 
semble the  talons  of  this  bird.  And  here  again  is  seen 
the  application  of  the  emblem  of  our  glorious  country  in 
a  national  flower.  Stretching  the  imagination  still 
further,  the  long  red  spurs  are  said  to  resemble  the 
red  stripes  of  "Old  Glory,"  and  that  our  national 
colours  are  represented  in  red,  white  and  blue  flowered 
species  occuring  in  different  parts  of  the  country.  It 
is  the  state  flower  of  Colorado.  It  will  be  recalled  that 
Columbine  was  also  the  name  of  Harlequin's  sweet- 
heart in  pantomime.  The  dangling  buds  are  strongly 
suggestive  of  old-fashioned  drop  earrings.  On  account 
of  the  nectar  contained  in  the  spurs,  the  flowers  are 
especially  attractive  to  humming  birds,  and  they  are 
often  found  hovering  above  them. 

The  Wild  Columbine  loves  to  frequent  the  sunny, 
rocky  slopes  and  ledges  in  open  woods  where  the  soil 
is  sparse  and  well  drained.  It  often  prospers  with 
barely  sufficient  earth  to  cover  its  roots,  and  causes 

12 


WILD  FLOWERS  red 

one  to  wonder  how  it  manages  to  keep  from  perishing 
altogether  during  the  extended  dry  spells  of  summer 
and  fall.  The  flowers  are  scarlet,  with  yellow  linings. 
They  are  conspicuously  large  and  showy,  and  hang, 
nodding  upside  down,  from  fine  threadlike  stems. 
They  vary  greatly,  measuring  from  one  to  two  inches 
long,  and  are  rather  bulky.  The  five  petals  are  narrow 
and  cone-shaped,  and  taper  sharply  to  a  thickened, 
rounded  point,  forming  the  upright  and  nearly  straight 
spurs.  They  are  united  below  by  five  curved  and 
flaring  sepals,  which  alternate  with  the  tubes,  and 
when  viewed  from  beneath,  give  the  face  of  the  flower  a 
distinct  star-shape.  The  numerous,  yellow-tipped 
stamens  and  fine  slender  pistils  project,  tassel-like, 
below  the  pure  yellow  corolla.  As  the  seed  pod 
ripens,  it  assumes  an  upright  position  on  stem.  The 
lower  leaves  are  compound  and  divided  two  or  three 
times.  Each  leaflet  has  three  or  more  lobes  with 
irregular,  rounded  notches.  Their  basal  leaves  are 
borne  on  long,  slender  stems  which  rise  direct  from 
the  roots,  and  in  the  spring  they  form  thick,  rounded 
tufts.  The  upper  leaflets  are  variously  shaped  and 
notched,  generally  rounded,  and  unite  with  the  stalk 
at  the  branching  joints.  They  are  thin  in  texture; 
light  green  above,  and  whitish  underneath.  The 
plant  grows  from  one  to  two  feet  in  height.  The  long, 
slender,  branching  stalk  is  generally  smooth  and 
slightly  angular.  The  colour  is  green,  usually  deeply 
stained  with  purple.  The  Wild  Columbine  is  found 
from  Nova  Scotia  to  the  Northwest  Territory    and 

13 


RED  WILD  FLOWERS 

south  to  Florida  and  Texas  from  April  to  July.  During 
my  early  school  days,  when 

"  Read-in'  and  'rit-in'  and  'rith-me-tic 
Taught  to  the  tune  of  a  hick-ry  stick." 

was  a  serious  reality,  most  every  boy  and  girl  knew 
the  Columbine  better  as  the  "Honeysuckle,"  and 
acquired  the  habit  of  biting  into  the  ends  of  the  spurs 
and  sucking  out  the  sweet  nectar.  The  Columbine 
was  first  introduced  into  England  to  decorate  the 
gardens  of  Hampton  Court  during  the  reign  of  Charles 
I.,  having  been  sent  from  the  Virginia  Colony  by  a 
young  botanist  to  Tradescant,  gardener  and  herbalist 
to  the  King. 

The  Blue,  or  Small-flowered  Columbine,  A.  brevi- 
styla,  is  a  much  smaller  species,  bluish  or  sometimes 
creamy  white  in  colour,  with  shorter,  incurving  spurs. 
The  stamens  and  pistils  rarely  protrude,  and  the 
flower  is  more  compact.  It  is  found  throughout  the 
Northwest  Territory  to  South  Dakota. 

PITCHER=PLANT.      HUNTSMAN'S  CUP. 
INDIAN  CUP 

Sarracenia  purpurea.     Pitcher-plant  Family. 

In  many  respects  the  Pitcher-plant  is  one  of  the 
most  interesting  and  curiosity-exciting  of  our  wild 
flowers.  Perhaps  you  have  heard  that  some  plants 
"eat"  insects,  and  here  you  are  face  to  face  with  one 
of  them.  First  of  all,  let  us  substitute  the  word  absorb 
for  the  word  eat,  and  we  will  better  understand  our 
subject,    which    neither    chews   nor    swallows.    Far- 

14 


WILD  FLOWERS  red 

mers  and  gardeners,  we  know,  replenish  the  soil  with 
fertilizer  containing  a  large  portion  of  animal  matter, 
such  as  ground  bone  and  fish,  which  supplies  nitrogen, 
a  necessary  element  for  leaf  and  stalk  formation,  and 
which  is  absorbed  through  the  activity  of  plant  roots. 
The  leaves  of  the  Pitcher-plant  have  developed  some 
of  the  power  of  the  roots  by  absorbing  the  nitrogeneous 
matter  from  decomposing  insects,  which  they  ingeni- 
ously attract  and  capture  for  this  purpose.  Broadly 
speaking,  that  is  all  there  is  to  it,  and  the  construc- 
tion of  the  leaves,  and  their  method  of  entrapping  the 
insects  is  more  interesting  to  learn.  The  leaves  are 
elongate  and  tubular,  tapering  from  the  root  and 
bulging  widely  toward  the  centre,  forming  a  sort 
of  pitcher-shaped  growth,  with  the  blunt,  open  end 
flared  to  one  side  into  a  short,  pointed,  and  flapped 
hood.  They  curve  gracefully  outward  and  upward, 
and  the  inner  or  concaved  side,  which  faces  the  flower 
stalk,  has  a  very  broad  wing  or  keel.  They  are  yellow- 
ish green  in  colour,  conspicuously  lined  and  veined 
with  purple,  and  grow  from  four  to  twelve  inches  long. 
The  texture  is  stout  and  leathery,  and  the  outer  and 
inner  surfaces  are  smooth.  The  pitchers  are  generally 
half-filled  with  water,  and  the  inner  surface  of  the 
hood  is  thickly  covered  with  fine,  hairy  bristles  which 
point  downward  toward  the  opening.  Just  inside 
the  aperture  is  secreted  a  sweet,  sticky  substance, 
which  is  supposed  to  attract  insects  to  it.  Once  inside 
the  pitcher,  the  insect  becomes  a  captive,  and  in  try- 
ing to  escape,  it  encounters  the  labyrinth  of  reflexed 

15 


RED  WILD  FLOWERS 

hairs,  falls  exhausted  into  the  water,  and  is  finally 
drowned.  There  is  the  trap,  and  most  any  time  dur- 
ing the  summer  insects  may  be  observed  floating  on 
the  surface  of  the  water  within  the  pitchers.  These 
pitchers  radiate  in  the  form  of  a  circle  about  the  cen- 
tral flower  stalk  and  spring  direct  from  the  roots. 

The  peculiar  construction  of  these  cornucopia-shaped 
leaves  actually  demonstrate  the  fabulous  ''horn  of 
plenty"  which  they  faithfully  imitate,  by  yielding  an 
abundance  of  insect  food  and  water  which  some  of 
the  birds,  and  probably  also  harmless  snakes  and  frogs 
take  advantage  of.  The  large,  solitary  flower  nods 
coquettishly  from  a  long,  stout,  smooth,  light  green 
stalk  rising  from  one  to  two  feet  high.  Its  five  long, 
ovate,  purple-red  petals  are  narrowed  in  the  centre 
like  a  fiddle,  and  their  rounded  ends  are  folded  in  over 
the  top  of  the  singular  five-rayed,  yellowish  style,  which 
is  astonishingly  like  an  umbrella,  spreading  itself  over 
the  large  seed  case,  with  its  five  ribs  or  rays  terminating 
in  hooked  stigmas.  Numerous  stamens  surround  the 
pistil.  The  calyx  has  five  spreading  sepals  which  are 
thick  and  tough.  They  are  purplish  red,  lined  with 
light  green,  and  are  often  stained  with  darker  purple. 
They  are  supported  by  three  or  four  bracts.  In  the 
fall,  after  the  seed  case  has  disappeared,  the  long, 
faded  flower  stalks  stand  out  conspicuously,  and  dis- 
play their  withered  sepals.  On  the  28th  of  September, 
i85i,Thoreau  wrote  in  his  journal:  "Though  the  moss 
is  comparatively  dry,  I  cannot  walk  without  upsetting 
the  numerous  pitchers,  which  are  now  full  of  water, 

16 


RED  LILY.     WOOD  LILY.     Lilium   philadelphicum 


WILD  FLOWERS  red 

and  so  wetting  my  feet.  I  once  sat  accidentally  down 
on  such  a  bed  of  pitcher  plants,  and  I  found  an  uncom- 
monly wet  seat  where  I  expected  a  dry  one."  The 
plant  exhibits  many  variations  of  colour,  from  deep 
purple  to  pink,  and  from  dark  green  to  greenish  yel- 
low; and,  as  Alice  Lounsberry  says:  "from  a  dis- 
tance they  appear  like  the  mystic  blending  of  colours 
in  a  Persian  rug."  The  Huntsman's  Cup  is  said  to 
have  been  so  named  because  hunters  used  them  to 
drink  from,  but  it  seems  more  likely  that  it  applies 
to  its  resemblance  to  the  old-fashioned  powder  horn  of 
T>a.vy  Crockett's  time.  The  Pitcher-plant  is  found  in 
peat-bogs  and  in  wet,  springy,  mossy  places,  often 
along  railroad  tracks,  during  May  and  June.  The 
pitchers  are  often  found  during  the  late  fall  and  win- 
ter, with  the  water  in  them,  frozen  solid.  They  range 
from  Labrador  to  the  Canadian  Rockies,  and  south 
to  Minnesota,  Kentucky,  and  Florida. 

GROUNDNUT 

Apios  tuberosa.     Pea  Family. 

All  wise,  happy-go-lucky  country  youngsters  know 
where  and  when  to  root  out  the  edible  pear-shaped 
tubers  of  this  beautiful  climbing  vine,  which  is  famil- 
iarly known  to  them  as  the  Wild  Bean.  During  the 
early  Colonial  days,  this  tuberous  root  is  said  to  have 
been  used  as  a  substitute  for  bread.  The  slender, 
twining  stem  has  a  milky  juice,  and  grows  several  feet 
in  length.  From  five  to  seven  broad,  toothless,  lance- 
shaped  leaflets,  with  their  acute  apex  and  rounding 

17 


RED  WILD  FLOWERS 

base,  make  up  the  stemmed  leaf.  The  numerous 
rich,  brownish  purple,  butterfly-shaped  flowers  are 
sweetly  scented,  and  are  densely  clustered  in  a  round- 
ing or  lengthened  head,  terminating  a  short  stem 
from  the  angle  of  the  alternating  leaves.  The  Ground- 
nut loves  the  thickets  in  low,  moist  ground  from  New 
Brunswick  to  Florida,  and  west  to  Minnesota, 
Kansas,  and  Louisiana;  and  blossoms  from  July  to 
September. 

PINESAP.     FALSE  BEECH-DROPS.     BIRD'S  NEST 

Monotropa  Hypopitys.     Heath  Family, 

This  slightly  fragrant  species  resembles  somewhat 
the  Indian  Pipe,  to  which  it  is  closely  related,  and  it 
is  found  in  dry  or  rich  woods  from  June  to  October. 
The  thick,  fleshy  and  slender  flower  stalk  is  either 
smooth  or  downy,  and  several  of  them  spring  in  a 
cluster  from  a  dense  mass  of  fleshy,  fibrous  and  para- 
sitic roots.  They  grow  from  four  to  twelve  inches  high. 
The  plant  is  leafless,  and  the  stalk  is  covered  with 
thin,  small,  tan-coloured,  scaly  bracts,  which  become 
more  dense  toward  the  base.  The  short-stemmed, 
oblong,  bell-shaped  flowers  vary  in  colour  from  white 
and  yellowish  to  pink,  as  do  also  the  stalks.  They  are 
from  three  to  five  parted,  with  usually  an  equal  number 
of  fleshy  sepals.  Several  flowers  are  arranged  in  a  one- 
sided, slightly  drooping  terminal  cluster  which  becomes 
erect  after  the  flowers  mature.  This  species  grows 
from  Florida  and  Arizona  far  in  to  Canada,  and  seems 
to  prefer  the  shade  of  beach,  oak,  and  fir  trees  from 

i8 


WILD  FLOWERS  red 

the  roots   of   which   this   uncanny   plant   absorbs   its 
nourishment. 

RED,    OR    SCARLET    PIMPERNEL.       POOR    MAN'S 
OR  SHEPHERD'S  WEATHER=QLASS.      RED 
CHICKWEED.     SHEPHERD'S  CLOCK. 
BURNET   ROSE 

Anagallis  arvensis.     Primrose  Family. 

The  neat  little  terra-cotta  or  brick-coloured  flowers 
of  this  common,  low-spreading  plant  have  a  popu- 
lar reputation  for  forecasting  rain  by  closing  their  petals 
in  advance.  The  Pimpernel  is  found  in  sandy  soil 
in  waste  places,  from  May  to  August,  where  it  grows 
annually  from  four  to  twelve  inches  in  length.  The 
ancients  used  this  plant  as  an  antidote  for  poison,  and 
it  has  been  recommended  as  a  local  remedy  for  sores. 
The  twisted,  square  stalk  is  smooth  and  shiny,  and 
lies  upon  the  ground.  The  small,  oval  leaves  are 
usually  arranged  in  alternate  pairs  along  the  stalk. 
They  are  rather  loose-textured,  have  an  entire  margin, 
and  are  somewhat  clasping.  The  under  side  is 
speckled  with  numerous  fine,  black  dots.  The  pretty 
five-parted,  wheel-shaped  flower  varies  greatly  in  colour, 
from  flesh  to  scarlet.  The  divisions  are  finely  toothed 
at  the  apex,  and  the  five  purple,  hairy  stamens  are 
tipped  with  yellow.  The  green  calyx  has  five  tiny 
grooved  parts.  The  flowers  are  set  singly  in  slender 
stems  which  spring  from  the  axils  of  the  leaves.  They 
are  really  very  sensitive  to  the  light,  and  only  open  in 
the  bright  sun,  closing  quickly  whenever  it  is  obscured. 
Anagallis  is  Greek,   meaning   delightful.     The   plant 

19 


RED  WILD  FLOWERS 

spreads  in  dense  patches,  and  is  found  from  New- 
foundland to  Florida,  Texas,  and  Minnesota,  and  on 
the  Pacific  Coast.     It  is  naturalized  from  Europe. 

OSWEGO    TEA.     AMERICAN     BEE    BALM. 
MOUNTAIN  MINT.      FRAGRANT  BALM. 
INDIAN'S  PLUME 

Monarda  didyma.     Mint  Family. 

Next  to  the  magnificent  Cardinal  Flower,  the  Bee 
Balm  possesses  the  most  intense  red  colouring  of  any 
of  our  native  wild  flowers.  It  does  not  flaunt  its 
large,  showy,  tousled  head  in  the  bright  sunshine, 
but  elects  to  illuminate  the  cool  banks  of  shady  wood- 
land streams  and  secluded  nooks  in  moist  thickets, 
where  its  beauty  is  reserved  to  surprise  those  who 
happen  to  snoop  in  such  retreats.  Although  strik- 
ingly handsome  and  beautiful,  it  is  a  rather  coarse 
perennial  herb,  growing  two  or  three  feet  in  height. 
The  stout,  rough-haired  stalk  is  sharply  four-angled 
or  square.  The  thin,  aromatic,  sharply  toothed,  dark 
green  leaves  are  oval,  or  oblong  lance-shaped,  with  a 
rounded  or  narrowed  base  and  a  long,  sharp,  tapering 
tip.  They  are  set  on  hairy  stems  in  opposite  pairs 
and  are  plainly  veined.  The  gaping,  wide-mouthed, 
deep  scarlet,  tubular  fiowers  blossom  in  succeeding 
circles,  around  a  large,  round  terminal,  solitary,  dark 
red  head,  into  which  they  are  gathered,  and  which  is 
surrounded  with  a  circle  of  bright  reddish,  drooping, 
leafy  bracts.  The  conspicuous,  funnel-formed  corolla 
is  two-lipped.  The  erect,  slender  upper  lip  is  arched 
and  sharp-pointed.     The  larger,  spreading  lower  lip 

20 


WILD  FLOWERS  red 

is  three-lobed,  with  the  centre  one  longer  than  the  rest, 
and  often  notched  at  the  apex.  Two  long,  anther- 
bearing  stamens  and  the  pistil  extend  beyond  the  arch, 
and  are  coloured  like  the  corolla.  The  smooth, 
incurved  green  calyx  is  slightly  hairy  at  the  throat. 
The  Indians  and  early  settlers  of  this  country  are  said 
to  have  used  this  plant  as  a  substitute  for  tea.  An 
antiseptic  substance  useful  for  dressing  wounds  has 
been  extracted  from  this  species.  Oswego  Tea  blos- 
soms from  July  to  September,  and  is  found  in  hilly 
country  from  Georgia  northward  to  Canada,  and 
westward  to  Michigan. 

SCARLET  PAINTED-CUP.      INDIAN  PAINT 
BRUSH 

'Casttlleja  cocc'inea.     Figwort  Family. 

A  singular  species  known  as  a  parasite,  because  its 
roots  absorb  nourishment  from  those  of  other  plants 
upon  which  they  fasten  themselves.  It  is  an  annual 
or  biennial  plant  growing  a  foot  or  two  high  in  scat- 
tered patches  in  meadows,  prairies,  and  moist  thickets. 
The  reddish,  hairy,  angular,  and  rather  slender,  hol- 
low stem  occasionally  bears  erect  branches,  and  rises 
from  a  tuft  of  uncut,  oblong  leaves.  The  alternat- 
ing stem  leaves  are  usually  deeply  cut  into  three  seg- 
ments or  lobes,  and  are  stemless  and  parallel-veined. 
Their  colour  is  light  green,  and  the  surface  is  slightly 
hairy.  The  upper  leaves,  as  well  as  those  which  are 
gathered  about  the  flowers,  have  their  ends  coloured 
with  bright  scarlet,  as  if  they  had  been  dipped  in  paint. 

21 


RED  WILD  FLOWERS 

This  feature  is  unusually  showy  and  attractive.  The 
irregular  greenish  yellow  corolla  of  the  tubular  flower 
has  a  long,  narrow  arched  upper  lip,  and  a  short 
three-lobed  lower  lip,  and  is  set  in  a  longer,  flattened, 
tubular,  two-lobed  and  usually  green  or  sometimes 
scarlet  calyx.  The  flowers  are  hidden  within  their 
conspicuous,  three-parted,  bright  red  or  scarlet  bracts. 
They  have  four  unequal  stamens,  and  a  long  pistil  set 
within  the  long  upper  lip  of  the  flowers,  which  are 
closely  grouped  in  a  terminal  leafy  cluster.  The 
Painted-cup  is  found  from  May  to  July,  in  low,  sandy 
grounds,  from  Canada  to  Virginia,  Tennessee,  Kan- 
sas and  Texas.  Rarely  the  bracts  and  calyxes  are 
yellow.  This  species  was  dedicated  to  a  Spanish 
botanist  named  Castillejo. 

WOOD   BETONY.     LOUSEWORT.      BEEF- 
STEAK  PLANT.      HIGH   HEAL-ALL 

Pedicularis  canadensis,     Figwort  Family. 

Looking  directly  downward  upon  the  tousled, 
whirligigged,  floral  spike  of  the  Wood  Betony,  one 
is  immediately  impressed  with  its  rip-saw  symmetry. 
And,  if  it  is  plucked  and  twirled  'twixt  the  fore- 
finger and  thumb,  the  illusion  becomes  quite  real  and 
amusing.  As  we  recall  frequent  references  to  the 
Betony  of  ancient  history,  we  are  apt  to  connect  it 
with  our  native  species,  but  it  is  the  European  plant, 
Betonica  officinalis,  that  was  frequently  extolled  for 
its  many  physical  and  medicinal  charms  and  virtues. 
Our  own  curious  Wood  Betony  has  one  unhappy  con- 

22 


WILD  FLOWERS  red 

nection  in  folk-lore,  and  that  is  its  scientific  name. 
Pedicidaris  is  Latin  for  louse,  and  was  applied  to 
this  species  by  farmers  who,  for  many  years,  seemed 
thoroughly  convinced  that  the  Lousewort,  as  they 
disparagingly  named  it,  was  responsible  for  breed- 
ing a  small  insect  that  developed  a  skin  disease 
among  their  sheep,  which  they  concluded  had  surely 
fed  upon  its  foliage.  Several  flowering  stalks  spring 
from  the  centre  of  a  tuft  of  circular  clustered  leaves. 
They  are  stout,  hairy,  and  sparingly  leafy,  and  rise 
from  six  to  eighteen  inches.  The  peculiar  flowers 
are  curiously  arranged  in  a  thick,  leafy,  terminal 
spike,  and  they  develop  spirally  toward  the  green 
top.  The  corolla  is  two-lipped,  with  the  upper  one 
hooked  or  arched,  and  flattened  like  the  bow  of  an 
Indian  canoe,  while  the  lower  lip  is  much  shorter,  and 
has  three  lobes,  the  outer  ones  of  which  are  flared. 
The  colour  varies  from  a  light  yellow  to  purplish  red. 
The  upper  lip  has  two  tiny,  hair-like  teeth  at  the  apex, 
between  which  extends  a  fine  pistil.  Four  stamens 
huddle  beneath  the  hood  of  the  upper  lip.  Sometimes 
the  entire  flower  is  yellow,  and  again  the  lower  lip  is 
yellow  and  the  upper  one  shades  into  a  deep  purple. 
This  peculiarity  gives  it  the  name  of  Beefsteak  Plant. 
The  tubular  calyx  is  deeply  notched  on  the  under  side 
and  tapers  to  a  point  on  top  with  two  or  three  small 
scallops.  The  dark  green  fern-like  leaves  are  oblong 
or  lance-shaped,  and  graduate  into  slender  stems. 
Their  margins  are  deeply  cut  into  small  lobes,  each 
of  which  is  again  notched  and  scalloped  or  toothed, 

23 


RED  WILD  FLOWERS 

and  is  partly  curled.  The  surface  is  shiny,  and  the 
midrib  is  strong  and  conspicuous.  Both  leaves  and 
stem  are  often  stained  with  red.  After  the  flowering 
season  the  spike  extends  several  inches,  and  the 
fruit  ripens  in  the  stiff,  russet  seed  cases.  Wood 
Betony  is  found  in  sprawling  clusters  from  April 
to  June,  in  shaded  woods  and  thickets,  where  the 
undergrowth  is  sparse  and  low.  It  ranges  from 
Nova  Scotia  and  Manitoba  to  Florida,  Kansas,  and 
Colorado,  into  Mexico. 

BEECH=DROPS.     CANCER=ROOT 

Eptfhgus  virginiana.     Broom-rape  Family. 

If  you  are  not  acquainted  with  these  curious,  leafless 
parasites,  you  will  very  likely  walk  over  many  of  them 
without  suspecting  they  are  really  anything  but  small, 
dead  twigs.  They  are  invariably  found  in  beech 
woods,  where  they  attach  their  roots  to  those  of  the 
beech  tree,  and  so  flourish  at  its  expense.  They  grow 
from  six  to  twenty  inches  or  more  in  height,  from  a 
thick,  scaly  base.  The  roots  are  brittle  and  fibrous. 
The  slender,  smooth,  branching  stalk  is  stiff  and 
tough,  and  is  purplish,  brownish  or  yellowish  in  colour. 
They  have  no  leaves,  but  a  few  brownish  bracts  are 
scattered  along  the  stalk.  The  flowers  are  of  two 
kinds.  The  upper,  or  sterile  ones  are  tubular,  with 
notches  at  their  opening.  They  are  curved  to  one  side, 
and  contain  four  stamens  and  a  pistil.  The  curving 
tip  of  the  latter  projects  beyond  the  tube.  These  small 
flowers  are  striped  with  purple  and  white,  and  are 

24 


WILD  FLOWERS  red 

scattered  along  the  ascending  branches.  They  emit 
a  very  unpleasant  odour.  The  lower  flowers  are  seed- 
bearing  and,  bud-like,  they  never  open.  Cancer- 
root  is  found  from  August  to  October,  from  New 
Brunswick  to  Florida,  and  west  to  Ontario,  Michigan, 
Missouri,  and  Louisiana. 

CARDINAL  FLOWER.      RED  LOBELIA 

Lobelia  cardinalis.     Lobelia  Family. 

The  Cardinal  Flower  is  one  of  the  most  striking  and 
attractive  of  our  showy  flowers.  It  possesses  the 
most  gorgeous,  glowing  red  colouring  imaginable, 
and  because  of  its  unsurpassing  vividness  and  bril- 
liancy, its  beauty  is  its  undoing.  It  is  a  target  for  every 
ruthless,  clasping  hand  that  can  reach  it,  and  for  this 
reason  it  is  rapidly  becoming  exterminated.  In 
intensity  of  colouring  it  is  the  Scarlet  Tanager  of 
the  wild  flowers.  The  usually  single,  rather  large, 
slightly  angular,  smoothish  stalk  is  leafy  and  hollow, 
and  grows  from  two  to  four  and  a  half  feet  high,  from 
perennial  off-shoots.  The  thin,  smooth,  or  slightly 
hairy  leaves  are  oblong  to  lance-shaped.  They  are 
irregularly  toothed,  and  the  upper  ones  clasp  the  stalk. 
The  colour  is  dark  green.  The  numerous,  deep  car- 
dinal flowers  are  gathered  in  a  loose  and  often  one- 
sided terminal  spike.  The  tube-like  corolla,  which  is 
an  inch  long,  is  split  down  the  upper  side,  and  has  five 
narrow,  pointed,  flaring,  velvety  lobes.  These  lobes 
are  bent  at  right  angles,  the  three  central  ones  set 
together,   and  partly  separated  from  the  other  twoj 

25 


RED  '  WILD  FLOWERS 

which  stand  somewhat  erect  or  recurved,  and  at  right 
angles  with  the  central  one,  and  opposite  each  other. 
The  five  stamens  are  united  in  a  tube  around  the  style, 
and  stand  out,  far  beyond  the  throat  of  the  flower,  with 
a  prominent,  curving  tip.  The  green  calyx  has  five 
long,  slender  parts.  Occasionally  the  flowers  are 
pinkish  or  white.  The  Cardinal  Flower  is  found  in 
very  moist  situations,  commonly  on  the  banks  of 
streams  and  ditches  from  July  to  September,  from 
Florida,  Texas,  and  Kansas,  well  into  Canada. 


26 


Section  II 
PINK   FLOWERS 


27 


MOCCASIN  FLOWER.     PINK,  OR  STEMLESS 
LADY'S  SLIPPER 

Cypripedium  acaule.     Orchid  Family, 

CYPRIPEDIUM  is  the  Greek  name  for  Venus's 
slipper,  and  it  has  been  given  to  this  remark- 
able family,  which  forms  the  most  showy  and  loveliest 
group  of  our  native  Orchids.  How  cleverly  they  repre- 
sent Nature's  floral  tribute  to  the  memory  of  Hiawa- 
tha's clan —  the  American  Indian!  They  are  easily 
identified  by  the  large,  inflated,  pouch-shaped  lip,  the 
colour  of  which  also  indicates  the  species.  The  ex- 
quisite Moccasin  Flower  is  the  largest  flowered  of  them 
all.  It  grows  from  six  to  twelve  inches  high,  in  deep, 
sandy,  or  rocky  woods  during  May  and  June.  It  is  the 
state  flower  of  Minnesota.  Two  large,  thick,  pointed 
oval,  slightly  hairy  and  many  ribbed  leaves,  clasping  at 
the  base,  spring  from  a  tufted,  thick-fibred  root.  A 
long,  slender  flower  stem  rises  from  between  the  leaves 
and  bears  a  small,  green  leaflet  near  its  curved  top. 
The  flower,  with  its  lip  curiously  developed  into  a  large, 
hollow  pouch,  hangs  from  the  top  of  the  stem  like  a 
shepherd's  crook.  This  pouch,  which  suggests  some- 
what the  shape  of  a  peanut,  is  slit  at  the  top  and  its 
edges  are  folded  inward.  Its  prevailing  colour  is 
pink,  or  occasionally  white,  with  a  fine  network  of 
delicate  purple  veinings.  The  upper  portion  of  its 
interior    surface    is    covered    with    long    white    hairs. 

29 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

The  spreading,  lance-shaped  sepals  are  greenish 
purple.  The  upper  one  is  single,  and  the  two  lower 
ones  are  united.  The  three  spreading  and  curving 
petals  are  coloured  like  the  sepals,  but  are  narrower  and 
longer.  The  open  end  of  the  pouch  is  nearly  closed 
with  a  singular  broad,  scoop-shaped  and  sterile  anther, 
which  shields  the  fertile  anthers  and  stigma  beneath. 
This  handsome,  solitary  flower  possesses  a  gorgeous 
tropical  air,  and  although  it  is  the  more  common  and 
familiar  of  its  kind,  it  is  becoming  more  difficult  to 
find  each  year  owing  to  ruthless  gathering.  It  is 
found  from  Newfoundland  to  Manitoba,  and  south 
through  Minnesota  to  Tennessee  and  North  Carolina. 

SHOWY   ORCHIS 

Orchis  spectabtlis.     Orchid  Family. 

Apparently  the  Orchids  have  established  them- 
selves in  a  somewhat  exclusive  and  aristocratic  circle 
requiring  an  especial  dispensation  to  become  inti- 
mately acquainted  with  them.  This  popular  notion, 
however,  is  more  of  an  illusion  than  a  reality,  for 
barring  occasional  remote,  swampy  retreats,  they  are 
really  quite  as  inviting  and  hospitable  as  any  of  the 
less  dignified  flora.  It  is  true  that  they  are  a  prodigal 
family,  and,  as  a  rule,  their  very  nature  is  retiring  and 
seclusive.  Consequently  they  are  less  frequently 
discovered,  but  if  one  knows  where  to  search  for  the 
various  species,  and  about  what  they  should  look  like, 
he  has  a  better  chance  of  finding  them.  The  flowers 
are  always  six-parted,  usually  consisting  of  three  simi- 

30 


WILD  FLOWERS  pink 

lar  sepals,  or  coloured  petal-like  parts;  two  lateral, 
or  ear-like  petals;  and  directly  below  these,  a  curious 
third  petal,  which  is  generally  conspicuously  coloured, 
and  called  the  lip.  The  lip  is  always  peculiarly  formed, 
and  should  be  carefully  noted.  Sometimes  it  is  shaped 
like  an  inflated  pouch,  or  a  cornucopia,  or  a  spur; 
again  it  is  broad,  or  long  and  narrow,  and  its  edge  is 
finely  fringed  or  bearded;  or  it  may  be  flat  or  curved, 
twice  or  thrice  cleft,  grooved,  ridged,  short  or  long, 
extended  or  depressed,  and  so  on.  The  leaves  are  all 
sheathing,  and  have  an  entire  margin.  The  Showy 
Orchis  is  a  beautiful,  charming  and  one  of  the  earliest 
blooming  species.  It  inhabits  deep,  rich,  moist 
woods,  especially  under  hemlock  trees,  from  April 
to  June,  when  it  grows  from  four  inches  to  a  foot 
in  height.  The  single,  thick,  fleshy  and  five-angled 
stem  springs  from  between  a  pair  of  large,  thick, 
shining  and  clammy  oblong  leaves  which  are  broadest 
toward  the  bluntly  tapered  tips  and  narrowed  into  a 
groove  at  the  foot.  From  three  to  six  fragrant,  inch- 
long  flowers  are  clustered  on  the  stalk,  each  with  a 
clasping  leaflet  and  forming  a  short,  loose,  terminal 
spike.  The  small,  club-shaped  sepals  and  petals  look 
much  alike,  and  are  curved  together,  forming  a  violet, 
purple  and  white,  or  pink-tinted,  pointed  hood, 
beneath  which  the  large,  thick,  spreading,  white  lip 
is  prolonged  into  a  blunt,  flattened  spur.  The 
flower-stem  is  noticeably  twisted  and  the  roots  are 
fleshy  fibred.  This  species  is  our  only  true  native 
Orchid,  and  is  found  from  New  Brunswick  to  Ontario 

31 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

and  North  Dakota;  and  south  to  Georgia,  Kentucky 
and  Nebraska.     It  is  not  common. 

ROSE  POQONIA.     SNAKE-MOUTH 

Pogonia  ophioglossoides.     Orchid  Family, 

This,  one  of  the  prettiest  of  our  more  delicate  little 
Orchids,  is  often  found  in  company  with  the  beautiful, 
deeper-hued  Calopogon  or  Grass-pink,  which  blossoms 
at  the  same  time  in  bogs,  wet  meadows,  and  swamps. 
The  smooth,  slender,  grass-like  stalk,  springing  from 
a  fibrous  root,  grows  from  eight  to  fifteen  inches  high, 
and  bears  from  one  to  three  lance-shaped  leaves. 
Usually  there  are  but  two  erect  leaves,  one  about  half- 
way up  the  stalk,  and  a  much  smaller  and  strongly 
ribbed  one  at  the  top  close  to  the  blossom.  Some- 
times a  solitary,  long-stemmed  leaf  rises  directly  from 
the  root.  The  fragrant,  pale,  rose-pink  flowers  are 
rather  large  and  slightly  nodding.  They  are  borne 
solitary,  or  occasionally  in  pairs,  at  the  top  of  the  stalk. 
The  spreading,  oval  sepals  and  narrower  petals  are 
about  equal  in  length  and  are  separated.  The  droop- 
ing, spurless,  spoon-shaped  lip  is  deeply  fringed  and 
crested  and  is  streaked  with  yellow  and  purple.  Mr. 
Gibson  noted  that  this  Orchid  had  an  odour  of  red 
raspberries.  It  is  also  one  of  the  few  Orchids  having 
free  dusty  pollen.  Pogonia  is  from  the  Greek,  meaning 
a  beard,  and  refers  to  the  beautifully  tufted,  hairy 
crest  in  the  middle  of  the  fancy  lip.  There  are 
thirty  species  of  Pogonia  widely  distributed  over  the 
world,  and  only  five  of   this  number  are   found   in 

32 


PITCHER-PLANT.     Sarracenia  purpurea 


WILD  FLOWERS  pink 

North  America.  All  of  them  are  spurless,  and 
their  lips  are  highly  coloured  and  bearded  with 
bristly  hairs.  The  familiar  vanilla  bean,  which 
furnishes  the  popular  flavouring  extract,  is  the 
fruit  of  an  Orchid  belonging  to  this  group.  This 
Pogonia  is  found  during  June  and  July,  from 
Canada  to  Florida  and  west  to  Kansas,  also  in  Japan. 

GRASS=PINK.     CALOPOQON 

Calopogon  pulchelhis.      Orchid  Family. 

Contrary  to  most  Orchids,  this  very  beautiful,  slen- 
der stemmed  species  has  its  lip,  or  most  prom- 
inent petal,  erected  high  over  the  flower  instead  of 
hanging  from  the  lower  side,  as  is  usually  the  case.  The 
slender,  smooth,  and  naked  stalk  grows  from  twelve 
to  eighteen  inches  in  height,  from  a  smooth,  solid, 
round  bulb.  The  solitar}^,  sheathing,  bright  green 
grass-like  leaf  is  long  and  very  narrow  with  parallel 
veins,  and  also  rises  from  the  bulb.  From  three  to 
fifteen  showy,  sweet-scented  spurless,  and  purplish 
pink  flowers  are  borne  in  a  loose,  terminal  spike.  The 
pointed-oval  sepals  and  petals  are  nearly  ahke,  and 
are  separated  and  spreading.  The  long,  upright, 
white-spotted  and  pale-pink  lip  is  heart  or  wedge- 
shaped  at  the  summit  and  is  hinged  at  its  base.  It 
has  a  beautiful,  dense  beard  of  long,  yellow,  orange, 
or  rose  coloured,  club-shaped  hairs,  which  appear 
like  so  many  stamens.  Below  the  pretty  lip  extends 
a  long,  slender,  curving  three-lobed,  petal-like  pistil. 
This  delicate  beauty  is  more  or  less  common  in  low, 

33 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

wet  meadows  and  swampy  recesses,  where  its 
beautiful  patches  of  colour  may  be  found  swaying 
above  the  tall  grasses  during  June  and  July, 
from  Newfoundland  to  Florida,  and  west  to 
Ontario,    Minnesota    and    Missouri. 

ARETHUSA 

Arethusa  hulbosa.     Orchid  Family. 

Winsome  indeed  are  the  large,  solitary,  rose-purple 
blossoms  of  this  locally  common  Orchid,  which  blooms 
during  May  and  June,  in  bogs  and  swamps  where 
most  people  are  not  likely  to  wander.  It  is  named 
after  the  beautiful  nymph,  Arethusa,  whom  the  God- 
dess Diana  transformed  into  a  fountain  to  avoid  the 
ardent  attentions  of  Alpheus,  the  river  god,  who  had 
fallen  in  love  with  her.  The  Arethusa  is  a  spurless 
Orchid,  closely  related  to  the  Pogonia,  and  has  a  deli- 
cate, violet-like  fragrance.  The  smooth,  slender  stalk 
rises  from  five  to  ten  inches  high  from  a  small  bulb 
and  bears  from  one  to  three  loose,  sheathing  bracts. 
The  long,  slender,  many-ribbed  and  grass-like  leaf  is 
solitary,  and  appears  after  the  flowering  period.  The 
flower  is  nearly  erect  and  is  borne  singly  on  the  tip 
of  the  stalk  from  between  a  pair  of  small  scales.  Two 
of  the  sepals  are  spreading,  while  the  other  one 
with  two  petals  is  somewhat  arched.  They  are 
all  partly  united  and  nearly  aHke.  The  conspicuous, 
drooping  Hp  has  a  broad,  rounded,  and  recurved 
apex,  which  is  toothed  or  fringed,  blotched  with 
purple,  and   ridged   with    three    white,  hairy    crests. 

34 


WILD  FLOWERS  pink 

This  Orchid  ranges  from  North  CaroHna  and  Indiana 
northward  to  Canada. 

PINK   KNOTWEED.      SAIARTWEED. 
PERSICARIA 

Polygonum  pennsylvantcum.  Buckwheat  Family. 
This  exceedingly  common  and  familiar  annual  is 
usually  found  in  moist,  open,  waste  soils,  everywhere 
from  the  Gulf  States  to  Minnesota,  Ontario,  and  Nova 
Scotia.  The  branching,  jointed  stalk  is  smooth 
below  and  hairy  above,  and  grows  in  an  irregular 
erect  or  sprawling  manner  from  one  to  three  feet  tall. 
It  is  often  flattened  on  one  side,  and  has  hairy,  tissue- 
like sheaths  at  the  joints.  The  long,  narrow  and 
stoutly-ribbed  tapering  leaves  are  toothless,  and 
alternate  upon  the  stalk.  The  small,  five-parted 
flowers  vary  from  pink  to  white  and  are  densely  crowded 
into  numerous,  irregularly  clustered,  thick  terminal 
spikes.  The  pink  calyx  takes  the  place  of  petals,  and 
remains  after  the  flowering  period  to  enclose  the 
flattened  seeds  as  it  did  the  buds.  In  her  dehghtful 
book,  "Nature's  Garden,"  Neltje  Blanchan  truly  says: 
"Famiharity  alone  breeds  contempt  for  this  plant,  that 
certainly  possesses  much  beauty."  There  are  many 
varieties,  closely  related  to  this  species,  distributed 
through  the  country. 

CORN   COCKLE.     CORN    ROSE.     CORN   CAMPION. 
CROWN=OF=THE=FIELD 

A grostemma  Gtthago.     Pink  Family. 

The  large,  attractive  magenta  or  purple  red  flowers 
of  this  terror  of  the  wheatfields  are  pretty  well  known 

35 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  land.  It  is 
an  immigrant  from  Europe,  and  as  Theodore  Roose- 
velt would  say,  it  is  an  "undesirable  citizen."  It 
is  despised  by  grain-growing  farmers,  who  everlastingly 
condemn  and  destroy  it.  It  is  an  erect,  leafy  annual, 
growing  from  one  to  three  feet  high,  and  is  thickly 
covered  with  closely  adhering,  whitish  hairs.  The 
long,  narrow,  pointed  leaves  measure  from  one  to 
four  inches  in  length,  and  a  quarter  of  an  inch  or  less 
in  width.  It  is  occasionally  branched.  The  showy 
flower  has  five  broad,  rounding,  flaring  petals,  alter- 
nating with  an  equal  number  of  long,  narrow  leaf- 
like sepals,  which  extend  far  beyond  the  corolla.  It 
has  ten  stamens  and  Ave  styles.  The  latter  alternate 
with  the  calyx  lobes,  and  are  opposite  the  petals.  The 
flower  is  borne  singly  on  long,  stout  stems,  and  produces 
numerous  rough,  black,  poisonous  seeds.  It  is  found 
frequently  or  occasionally  from  July  to  September, 
throughout  its  area,  but  most  commonly  in  the  Central 
and  Western  States.  It  may  be  found  in  many  sunny, 
waste  places,  but  is  scarce  in  the  dry  region  from 
California  to  Texas,  and  eastern  Kansas.  The  United 
States  Government  classes  the  Corn  Cockle  among  our 
principal  poisonous  plants,  the  dangerous  qualities  of 
which  are  contained  in  a  soluble  and  odourless  powder, 
called  saponin.  It  possesses  a  sharp,  burning  taste, 
and  provokes  violent  sneezing  if  inhaled  in  the  smallest 
quantity.  When  agitated  in  water,  it  foams  like  soap. 
The  objectionable  element  is  found  in  all  parts  of  the 
plant.     The  most  harmful  results  occur  from  eating 

36 


WILD  FLOWERS  pink 

bread  made  from  flour  containing  the  seeds  which  have 
been  ground  up  with  the  wheat,  and  its  continued  use 
will  cause  serious  chronic  disorders.  Low  grades 
of  flour  often  contain  large  quantities  of  Corn  Cockle 
seeds,  which  can  easily  be  detected  by  the  presence 
of  the  black,  roughened  scales  of  the  seed  cases.  Sev- 
eral machines  have  been  invented  for  removing  these 
dangerous  seeds  from  the  wheat,  but  as  yet,  none  has 
been  altogether  successful.  In  New  Hampshire,  Corn 
Cockle  is  known  as  Old  Maid's  Pink,  and  in  Nova 
Scotia  it  is  called  Mullein  Pink,  while  the  American 
farmer  ever  longs  for  a  name  that  will  fully  express 
his  contempt  for  it.  The  Latin  name,  Agrostemma, 
signifies  "  Crown-of-the-Field." 

WILD   PINK.     CATCHFLY 

Silene  pennsylvantca.    Pink  Family. 

What  the  Wild  Pink  lacks  in  height,  it  more  than 
makes  up  in  a  wealth  of  lively  colour  which  gleams 
from  the  crevices  of  rocky  banks  in  dry,  open  woods 
during  May.  It  is  a  low,  tufted  perennial,  growing 
only  from  four  to  ten  inches  high.  The  upper  part  of 
the  plant  is  sticky  and  hairy.  The  hairy  edged  foot 
leaves  are  long  and  narrow,  becoming  wider  toward 
the  suddenly  pointed  apex,  and  tapering  at  the  base 
into  broad  stems.  The  smaller  upper  leaves  are  seated 
directly  upon  the  stalk  in  pairs  and  are  pointed-oblong 
or  lance-shaped.  The  beautiful  pink  flowers  are  an 
inch  broad,  and  several  are  gathered  in  a  rather  broad, 
flat-topped,    terminal   cluster,    forming   an   attractive, 

37 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

glowing  mass  which  may  be  seen  for  quite  a 
distance.  The  deep,  narrow,  tubular  calyx  is  covered 
with  very  fine,  sticky  hairs.  The  five  flaring, 
rose-pink  petals  are  wedge-shaped,  with  notched 
tips.  They  taper  into  narrow,  pointed  claws  which 
sit  within  the  calyx.  The  flower  has  ten  stamens  and 
a  pistil.  This  species  is  found  from  April  to  June 
in  dry,  sandy,  gravelly,  or  rocky  soil,  and  ranges 
from  Maine  to  Georgia  and  Kentucky. 

SOAPWORT.       BOUNCING     BET.      HEDGE  PINK. 

BRUISEWORT.       FULLER'S  HERB.       OLD 

MAID'S  PINK.       SHEEPWEED 

Saponaria  officinalis.     Pink  Family. 

Just  why  this  naturalized  European  adventurer, 
which  long  ago  escaped  from  the  Colonial  gardens, 
should  be  called  Bouncing  Bet,  is  not  at  all  clear. 
Perhaps  its  wandering  nature,  cropping  up  here  and 
there  in  waste  places  as  it  does,  coupled  with  its  comely, 
honest,  wholesome,  calico-and-gingham,  look-you- 
straight-in-the-eye  appearance  as  it  stands  and  stares, 
or  as  it  bobs  about  with  the  wind,  gives  some  idea 
of  how  it  happened.  However,  "a  rose  by  any  other 
name  would  smell  as  sweet,"  and  so  the  beautiful, 
clustered  flowers  of  the  rough-and-ready  Soapwort 
will  continue  to  delight  us  from  July  to  September, 
along  dusty  roadsides,  edges  and  corners  of  neglected 
fields  and  farmyards  and  railroad  banks,  where  it  grows 
luxuriantly,  and  often  grouped  in  great  patches.  It  is 
everywhere  common,  and  increases  by  means  of  under- 

38 


WILD  FLOWERS  pink 

ground  runners  or  stolens.  The  roots  have  some 
medicinal  vahie  as  a  tonic,  and  when  placed  in  water 
and  agitated,  they  form  a  soaplike  lather  —  a  peculiarity 
that  gives  rise  to  the  common  names  of  Soaproot  and 
Latherwort.  The  slightly  grooved,  erect  stem  is 
smooth,  stout  and  leafy.  It  is  sparingly  branched, 
and  grows  one  or  two  feet  high.  It  is  noticeably  swollen 
at  the  joints,  and  is  green  in  colour,  sometimes  stained 
with  red.  The  thick-textured,  tapering  oval  leaves 
grow  alternately  in  pairs,  and  graduate  as  they  mount 
the  stalk.  Their  smooth  surface  shows  three  or  five 
distinct  ribs,  and  the  margins  are  entire  or  very  faintly 
scalloped.  They  unite  at  the  base  where  they  narrow 
into  broad,  short,  clasping  petioles.  The  showy, 
fragrant  flowers  are  about  an  inch  broad  and  are  pink 
in  colour,  becoming  white  in  proportion  to  the  amount 
of  shade  in  which  they  grow.  The  thin-textured  petals 
are  generally  notched,  and  taper  clawlike  to  their 
narrow,  pointed  base  within  a  long,  pale  green,  finely 
veined,  five-toothed  tubular  calyx,  from  which  they 
emerge  and  spread  at  right  angles.  At  the  top  of  the 
claw  where  the  petals  widen,  they  are  crowned  with 
two  little,  thread-like  appendages.  The  ten  yellowish 
stamens  are  divided  into  five  long  and  five  short  sets, 
the  former  of  which  mature  before  the  latter.  The 
pistil  has  two  recurving  points  or  styles.  The  flowers 
are  borne  in  a  loose,  terminal  head,  with  many  small 
bracts  or  floral  leaves.  A  short,  slender  stem  connects 
the  calyx  with  the  stalk,  which  it  joins  at  the  axil  of 
the  smaller  leaves.     This  short  flower  stem  usually 

39 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

bears  a  tiny  pair  of  leaflets  just  below  the  calyx. 
Double  flowers  are  not  at  all  uncommon,  and  they 
are  unusually  attractive.  As  a  rule,  single  and 
double  flowers  are  not  found  in  the  same  group. 
After  the  flowers  mature,  the  calyx  frequently 
splits  apart  and  causes  the  fading  petals  to  have 
a  most  dilapidated  appearance,  and  October  finds 
the  storm  -  tossed  stalks  withered  and  broken  —  a 
sorry   contrast    to    its    midsummer    gaiety. 

DEPTFORD   PINK 

Didnthus  Armeria.     Pink  Family. 

A  pretty,  unobtrusive  immigrant  from  Europe  is 
the  Deptford  Pink,  resembling  the  familiar  Sweet 
William  of  our  gardens,  and  to  which  it  is  a  near 
relative.  When  one  considers  that  this  Pink  belongs 
to  the  same  family  as  the  famous  Lawson  Pink  of  ten- 
thousand  dollar  parentage,  it  is  not  difficult  to  imagine 
that  it  feels  ill  at  ease  and  out  of  its  class  in  our  fields 
and  meadows,  or  along  our  grassy  roadsides,  where 
it  has  become  thoroughly  naturalized.  It  is  a  stiff, 
erect  annual,  growing  from  six  to  eighteen  inches  high, 
and  is  covered  with  very  fine  hairs.  The  slender, 
green  stalk  is  slightly  branching.  The  long,  narrow 
pointed  leaves  are  strongly  ribbed,  downy  surfaced, 
and  firm-textured.  They  occur  in  alternating  pairs, 
which  unite  and  clasp  the  stem  with  a  prominent 
joint.  The  lower  ones  are  blunt  at  the  tip.  The  small, 
five-petalled  flowers  usually  occur  in  pairs,  terminally 
clustered  or  springing  from  the  axils  of  the  leaves  on 

40 


OSWEGO  TEA.     BEE  BALM.     Monarda  didyma 


WILD  FLOWERS  pink 

short,  slender  stems.  The  large,  five-parted,  green, 
tubular  calyx  is  guarded  by  four  narrow,  stiff, 
sharply  toothed  and  pointed  bracts,  which  give  the 
flowering  head  a  crowded  and  bayonneted  appear- 
ance. The  bud  reminds  one  of  an  oat.  The  oblong 
petals  have  finely  notched  tips.  They  are  deep 
pink  in  colour,  and  the  surface  is  minutely  speckled 
with  whitish  dots.  The  generic  name,  Dianthus, 
signifying  Jove's  own  flower,  was  applied  to  the 
Pinks  by  Theophrastus,  the  Greek  philosopher, 
who  greatly  admired  their  exquisite  fragrance  and 
beauty.  This  Pink  is  found  from  Maine  to  Vir- 
ginia, and  westward  to  Michigan  and  Iowa,  dur- 
ing July  and  August. 

PINK  CORYDALIS 

Corydalis  sempervirens.       Fumitory  Family. 

Although  the  tall,  branching  growth  of  the  Pink 
Corydalis  does  not  compare  satisfactorily  with  that 
of  the  low,  clustered,  and  single-stemmed  grouping 
of  the  Dutchman's  Breeches,  the  peculiarly  flattened 
corolla  of  the  flowers  suggests  their  kinship.  At  sight 
the  dangling  flowers  of  this  species  appear  to  be  incom- 
plete, and  one  fancies  that  there  should  be  more  of 
them.  They  look,  for  instance,  as  if  they  had  been 
originally  something  like  those  of  the  Dutchman's 
Breeches,  but  that  some  one  had  cut  them  all  in  two, 
and  that  only  a  single  part,  or  "leg,"  had  survived  the 
operation.  They  seem  to  rest  on  the  point  of  their 
little  stems  like  a  tiny  flock  of  fairyland  swallows, 

41 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

undetermined  whether  to  linger  or  depart,  and  there 
they  bob  and  nod,  and  sway  and  swing  in  silent 
convention,  until  finally  their  spirit  bids  them  and  they 
are  gone.  The  airy  Corydalis  reigns  supreme  wherever 
it  can  gain  a  foothold  on  the  terraced  balconies  of  rocky 
cliffs,  in  partially  moist  and  open  woods.  It  is  found 
from  Nova  Scotia  to  the  Canadian  Rockies  and  Alaska, 
and  south  to  North  Carolina  and  Minnesota  from  April 
to  September.  The  smooth,  irregularly  branched 
stem  is  pale  green,  sometimes  slightly  stained  with  red, 
and  always  covered  with  a  whitish  bloom.  It  grows 
from  one  to  two  feet  in  height,  from  a  fibrous  annual 
root.  The  comparatively  small,  compound  leaf  is 
pale  green  in  colour,  smooth  and  rather  delicate  in 
texture,  with  the  under  surface  showing  a  whitish  bloom. 
It  is  divided  into  several,  often  three  or  five,  deeply  cleft 
leaflets  with  their  margins  unevenly  lobed  and  scal- 
loped. The  lower  leaves  have  short,  smooth  and 
slender  stems,  and  the  upper  ones  are  set  alternately 
on  the  stalk.  The  strangely  flattened  flower  is  usually 
less  than  an  inch  in  length.  The  irregular,  tubular 
corolla  has  two  pairs  of  erect  and  converging  petals; 
one  of  the  outer  pair,  which  are  joined  together,  is 
formed  into  a  very  short  and  rounded,  bag-like  spur 
on  the  upper  part  of  its  base,  the  inner  pair  are  very 
narrow  and  are  keeled  on  the  back.  The  six  stamens 
are  arranged  in  two  pairs  of  three  each,  opposite  the 
outer  petals.  The  fragile  flowers  hang  upside  down, 
and  are  gathered  sparingly  toward  the  end  of  a  slender 
stem.      They  have  a  two-parted,  scale-like  calyx  and 

42 


WILD  FLOWERS  pink 

one  pistil.  The  spurred  end  of  the  flower  is  deep 
pink  in  colour,  fading  nearly  to  white  toward  the 
yellow-tipped  end.  The  lovely  plant,  with  its  delicate 
shadings  of  pink,  pale  green,  and  yellow  is  especially 
pleasing.  After  the  flowers  perish,  the  seed  pods 
become  prominent,  and  when  matured,  they  meas- 
ure an  inch  or  two  in  length.  They  are  slender, 
flattened,  and  erect. 

HARDHACK.       STEEPLE   BUSH 

Spiraea  tomentosa.     Rose  Family. 

This  lovely  rose-coloured  perennial  is  similar  to  the 
Meadow  Sweet,  and  often  found  near  it,  but  the  Hard- 
hack  has  smaller  flowers  arranged  in  slender,  long- 
pointed,  floral  steeples,  and  woolly  stalks  of  a  pecuhar 
light  brown  colour.  The  under  surface  of  the  pointed 
oval,  dark  green  leaves  is  also  very  woolly,  and  varies 
from  a  whitish  to  the  same  brownish  colour  of  the 
stalk.  The  latter  is  erect,  very  leafy,  usually 
unbranched,  and  grows  two  or  three  feet  high.  The 
leaf  has  a  strong  midrib,  and  an  unequally  toothed 
margin.  The  leaves  have  short  stems  that  curve 
smartly  upward  as  they  join  the  stalk,  and  which  give 
a  nifty  set  to  the  foliage  and  charming  perkiness 
to  the  handsome  plant.  The  pretty  little  flowers  and 
their  tiny  stamens  are  deep  rosy-pink  in  colour,  and 
are  densely  arranged  in  rather  stiff  terminal  spikes. 
They  blossom  from  the  apex  downward,  and  before 
the  lower  ones  begin  to  open,  the  forerunners  have 
faded  to  a  light  brown.    The  Hardback  blooms  from 

43 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

July  to  September  in  low,  moist  grounds  and  adjacent 
hillside  pastures,  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Manitoba  and 
south  to  Georgia  and  Kansas. 

PURPLE    FLOWERING     RASPBERRY.     VIRGINIA 
RASPBERRY 

Riibus  odoratus.     Rose  Family. 

The  five  large,  deep  pink,  rose-like  petals  and  the 
ring  of  light  yellow  stamens  of  this  attractive  flower 
give  it  a  truly  Wild  Rose-like  appearance.  While  it 
is  really  a  member  of  the  same  family,  its  large,  maple- 
like leaf  easily  distinguishes  it  as  the  Virginia  Rasp- 
berry. The  erect,  branching,  leafy  stalk  grows  from 
three  to  five  feet  high,  and  is  somewhat  bristly,  but 
thornless.  The  strongly  veined,  but  loose-textured 
leaf  is  sometimes  nearly  a  foot  broad,  and  has  three  or 
five  pointed  lobes,  the  middle  one  of  which  is  the 
longest.  It  has  a  heart-shaped  base,  a  finely  toothed 
margin,  and  a  slightly  rough  surface.  The  leaves 
grow  alternately,  and  are  set  on  long  stems.  The 
fragrant,  showy,  purplish  pink  flower  is  an  inch  or  two 
broad  and  has  five  rounded,  curving  petals  which  fade 
to  a  Hghter  shade.  The  calyx  has  five  long,  pointed 
parts  and  is  thickly  covered  with  sticky,  red  hairs. 
The  numerous  flowers  are  borne  in  loose  terminal 
clusters  on  short,  sticky,  reddish  stems.  They  continue 
to  blossom  even  after  some  of  the  fruit  has  begun  to 
ripen.  The  fruit  resembles  that  of  a  flat  red  raspberry 
and  is  scarcely  edible.  The  Virginia  Raspberry  is 
found   in   rocky   woods   and    along   shady   roadways 

44 


WILD  FLOWERS  pink 

during  June,  July,  and  August,  from  Nova  Scotia  to 
Ontario  and  Michigan,  and  south  to  Georgia  and 
Tennessee. 

The  Salmonberry  or  White  Flowering  Raspberry, 
R.  parviflorus,  is  a  similar  species,  having  fewer, 
white,  oval  -  petaled  flowers  and  less  bristly  but 
coarser  -  toothed  leaves,  the  latter  having  the  centre 
lobe,  not  conspicuously  longer  than  the  others. 
It  is  found  in  rocky  woods  from  Michigan  and 
Minnesota  to  Alaska  and  California,  and  south  in 
the  Rocky  Mountains  to  Utah  and  Colorado, 
from  May  to   July.     The  fruit  is   red. 

WILD   ROSES 

Of  all  the  flowers  exalted  by  mankind,  none  has  been 
more  frequently  associated  with  his  history  and  Htera- 
ture  than  the  Rose.  Its  praises  have  been  sung  in  many 
tongues,  and  its  popularity  harks  back  to  very  ancient 
times.  Tradition  repeatedly  ascribes  many  and 
varied  accounts  to  the  Rose.  The  red  Rose  is  a  token 
of  love  and  affection;  the  redder  it  is,  the  better  it  is 
so  understood  and  accepted.  The  Turks  hold  that 
red  Roses  sprang  from  the  blood  of  Mohammed.  The 
Rose  of  Jericho  has  been  called  Saint  Mary's  Rose,  and 
is  said  to  have  first  blossomed  at  the  Saviour's  birth, 
closing  its  petals  upon  His  Crucifixion,  and  reopening 
them  again  at  the  Resurrection.  For  over  three  hundred 
years.  May  ist  was  gorgeously  observed  in  France  as 
the  Tribute  of  Roses,  when  the  youngest  peer  pre- 
sented a  silver  bowl  of  Roses  to  the  Court.     In  Egypt, 

45 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

mattresBes  made  from  the  sun-dried  petals  are  lux- 
uries —  beds  of  Roses  —  enjoyed  only  by  the  very 
wealthy.  The  ancient  Greeks  and  Romans  were 
extravagant  in  the  use  of  Rose  garlands  and  wreaths 
for  decorative  purposes,  and  at  the  magnificent 
feasts  of  Cleopatra  and  of  Nero,  everything  was 
lavishly  decked  with  them.  Fountains  of  Rose  water 
in  operation  were  famous  attractions  at  some  of 
their  marvellous  social  affairs.  The  Romans  placed 
a  Rose  over  the  entrance  to  their  feasting  halls, 
and  all  who  passed  beneath  it  understood  that  what- 
ever happened  within  the  hall  was  to  be  sub  rosa  — 
under  the  Rose  —  and  was  to  be  kept  secret  and 
never  disclosed.  The  Romans  also  used  the  Rose  in 
their  funeral  rites,  and  in  China  Roses  and  Anemones 
are  used  for  similar  purposes.  The  Rose  was  the 
flower  dedicated  to  Venus.  In  the  writings  of  Shake- 
speare, the  Rose  is  mentioned  more  frequently  than 
any  other  flower.  In  Germany,  France,  and  Italy, 
frivolous  maidens  bury  a  drop  of  blood  under  a  Rose 
bush  to  ensure  rosy  cheeks.  The  Rose  is  the  floral 
emblem  of  Iowa,  New  York,  and  North  Dakota.  An 
annual  festival  celebrated  in  California  is  named  the 
Tournament  of  Roses.  Portland,  Ore.,  is  called  the 
City  of  Roses.  June  is  known  as  the  month  of  Roses. 
One  of  the  most  costly  perfumes  in  the  world  is  Attar 
of  Roses,  and  ten  tons  —  twenty  thousand  pounds  — 
of  petals  are  required  to  make  one  pound  of  this 
precious  oil,  which  is  valued  at  two  hundred  dollars 
per   pound.     Candied    Rose  petals  are  considered  a 

46 


WILD  FLOWERS  pink 

dainty  confection.     And  so  on,  and  so  on,  one  could 
add  to  this  endless  subject. 

SMOOTH,  OR  MEADOW  ROSE 

Rosa  bldnda.     Rose  Family. 

A  low-growing,  large  flowered,  and,  usually,  thorn- 
less  species  which  grows  from  two  to  four  feet  high  in 
moist,  rocky  places.  From  five  to  seven  bluntly 
tipped  and  sharply  toothed,  oblong  leaflets  form  the 
compound  leaf.  The  thin,  dark  green  foliage  is  paler 
beneath,  and  the  short  leaf-stem  is  guarded  with  a 
conspicuous  pair  of  wings  that  clasp  the  stalk  at  the 
joint.  The  handsome,  large,  pink  flowers  are  slightly 
fragrant,  and  are  often  three  inches  broad.  They  are 
either  solitary  or  sparsely  grouped  on  slender  stems. 
The  petals  are  broad  and  curving,  and  the  numerous 
yellow  stamens  are  clustered  around  the  flat,  central  disc 
of  greenish-yellow  pistils.  The  green  calyx  has  five 
lance-shaped  sepals  that  remain  erect  upon  the  ripening 
globular  or  pear-shaped  fruit.  The  Meadow  Rose 
blossoms  during  June  and  Juk,  from  Newfoundland 
to  New  England  and  New  Jersey,  and  west  to  Ontario, 
IlHnois,  and  Missouri.  It  is  rather  more  common  in 
the  Great  Lake  region  than  elsewhere. 

CANKER  ROSE.   DOG  ROSE.   WILD  BRIER 

Rosa  cariina.     Rose  Family. 

During  June  and  July,  the  Dog  Rose  spreads  its 
beautiful,  and  usually  solitary,  pink  or  white  flowers 
along  our  roadsides  and  waste  banks.     It  grows  about 

47 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

ten  feet  in  length,  and  has  short,  stout,  hooked  spines. 
The  stipules,  or  wings,  which  sheath  the  leaf  stems, 
are  broad  and  pointed.  The  leaflets  are  rather  thick- 
textured  and  oval  in  shape.  This  Rose  resembles 
somewhat  the  Sweetbrier,  but  the  foliage  is  single- 
toothed  and  does  not  possess  the  aromatic  fragrance 
of  the  latter.  It  is  abundant  in  the  Delaware  Valley, 
and  is  more  or  less  common  from  Nova  Scotia  to  New 
Jersey  and  Pennsylvania,  and  also  in  Tennessee.  This 
Rose  is  the  Cat- whin  and  Canker-bloom  of  Shakespeare. 

SWEETBRIER.       EGLANTINE 

Rosa  ruhiginosa.     Rose  Family. 

You  can  positively  identify  the  Sweetbrier  by  the 
delightful,  aromatic  fragrance  of  its  leaves.  It  is  a 
slender  growing  species,  very  common  everywhere 
in  dry,  rocky  pastures  and  waste  places  during  June 
and  July.  This  is  the  exalted  Eglantine  of  Chaucer, 
Spenser  and  Shakespeare.  The  gracefully  arching 
branches  are  very  leafy,  and  are  armed  with  many 
stout  and  strongly  hooked  or  recurved  prickles.  It 
grows  from  four  to  six  feet  long.  The  leaves  are  com- 
pounded of  from  five  to  seven  very  small,  rather  thick, 
oval  or  oblong  and  sharp,  double  -  toothed  leaflets, 
which  are  densely  covered  on  the  underside  with  tiny, 
dark,  sticky  glands,  and  these  exhale  the  pleasing  per- 
fume. The  leaf-stems  clasp  the  stalk  with  a  pair  of 
narrow,  pointed  wings  or  stipules.  The  small,  creamy- 
pink  flowers  are  generously  clustered  along  the  main 
stalk.     They  have  five  curving,  heart-shaped  petals, 

4S 


SCARLET  PAINTED  CUP.     Castilleja  coccinea 


WILD  FLOWERS  pink 

and  numerous  curving,  yellowish  stamens.  The 
bright  red  fruit  is  oval  in  shape  and  endures 
throughout  the  winter.  Each  of  the  five  long, 
narrow,  spreading  sepals  is  notched  into  several 
tips.  The  Sweetbrier  ranges  from  Nova  Scotia 
to  Ontario,  Tennessee  and  Virginia. 

SWAMP   ROSE 

Rosa  Carolina.     Rose  Family. 

This  very  bushy  species  grows  from  one  to  eight 
feet  high,  and  is  sparingly  armed  with  distant,  stout, 
usually  hooked  or  curved  thorns.  Five  to  nine  finely 
toothed  leaflets,  varying  in  shape  from  oval  to  oblong 
or  even  lance-shaped,  form  the  compound  leaf,  which 
has  a  narrow  pair  of  stipules  or  leaflets  at  the  base  of 
the  slender  leaf  stem.  The  beautiful  pink  blossoms 
are  two  or  three  inches  broad.  They  have  numerous 
yellow  stamens,  and  are  loosely  grouped.  The  long, 
narrow,  spreading  sepals  do  not,  as  a  rule,  remain  on 
the  showy,  globular  red  fruit  as  do  those  of  the  Meadow 
Rose.  The  Swamp  Rose  is  common  everywhere  in 
swamps  and  low  grounds,  from  June  to  August.  It 
ranges  from  all  of  the  Atlantic  Coast  States  westward 
to  Minnesota  and  Mississippi. 

LOW,   OR   PASTURE   ROSE 

Rosa  humilis.     Rose  Family. 

This  is  the  commonest  and  most  abundant  of  all 
the  wild  Roses.  It  grows  branching  and  bushy,  from 
six  inches  to  six  feet  in  height,  and  has  very  slender, 

49 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

straight,  light  brown  thorns  at  the  base  of  the  leaf 
stem,  where  they  are  generally  set  in  pairs.  Usually 
five  rather  thin,  oval  or  sharply  pointed,  sometimes 
shininsj,  and  irregularly  toothed  leaflets  form  the 
compound  leaf.  The  leaf-stem  is  guarded  at  the  base 
with  a  pair  of  narrow,  flaring  wings  that  clasp  the 
stalk.  The  numerous,  fragrant  pink  flowers  are 
usually  solitary,  and  are  two  or  three  inches  broad. 
Five  prettily  curved,  heart-shaped  petals  are  exquisitely 
set  off  with  a  circle  of  numerous  yellow  stamens,  which 
are  gathered  around  the  darker  centre  of  clustered 
pistils.  The  calyx  has  five  long,  spreading  green 
divisions,  the  outer  ones  of  which  are  always  more  or 
less  lobed.  In  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania,  a 
charming  double  -  flowered  variety  occurs.  The 
Pasture  Rose  of!en  grows  in  great,  tangled  masses, 
and  when  at  the  height  of  bloom  these  are  exceed- 
ingly beautiful.  This  Rose  is  partial  to  dry,  rocky 
soil,  and  blossoms  from  May  to  July,  from  Nova 
Scotia  to  Florida  and  west  to  Minnesota,  Missouri, 
Oklahoma,  and  Louisiana. 

RED,  PURPLE,  OR  MEADOW  CLOVER 

Trifolium  pratense.     Pea  Family. 

The  Red  Clover  is  the  state  flower  of  Vermont, 
and  is  one  of  the  commonest,  largest-flowered,  and 
best-known  of  the  Clovers.  Some  years  ago  this  red- 
headed beauty  created  a  sensation  among  botanists 
and  agriculturists  that  is  very  interesting.  A  quantity 
of  the  seed  was  introduced  into  Australia  where  it  was 

50 


WILD  FLOWERS  pink 

cultivated  and  grew  beautifully,  but  the  flowers  failed 
hopelessly  to  produce  seed  the  first  year.  Again 
another  lot  of  seed  was  planted,  and  when  the  new 
plants  began  to  blossom,  a  number  of  bumblebees, 
especially  imported  from  America,  were  liberated 
among  the  flowers.  The  result  was  immediately 
gratifying,  and  from  that  day  to  this,  Australia  has 
successfully  cultivated  the  Red  Clover.  Consequently, 
our  dear  old  bumblebee  has  established,  beyond  any 
possible  doubt  in  the  minds  of  the  pessimistic,  the 
absolute  dependency,  for  its  very  existence,  of  at  least 
one  flower  upon  insect  life.     Cross  fertilization  did  it. 

"  Now  and  then  the  honey  bee, 
Laden  with  its  treasure, 
Darting  from  the  Clover  blooms, 
Hums  its  drowsy  measure." 

Our  warmest  memories  revert  to  those  happiest  days 
of  our  childhood,  when  we  actually  "lived  in  Clover," 
and  ate  "Sour  Grass,"  and  sucked  the  honey  from  the 
nectar  tubes  of  the  florets  which  were  pulled  from 
the  Clover  heads.  Pity  the  child  who  is  denied  the 
opportunity  of  roaming  the  fields  and  doing  likewise ! 

This  perennial  species  is  extensively  cultivated  for 
forage,  and  was  originally  introduced  into  America 
from  Europe.  The  rather  large,  leafy,  and  branched 
stalk  is  more  or  less  hairy,  and  rises  erect,  from  six 
inches  to  two  feet  in  height.  The  Clovers  form  large, 
loose,  spreading  tufts,  and  their  slightly  veined  leaves 
are  long-stemmed  and  thin  textured.  They  are 
epmpounde^  commonly  of  three,   or  occasionally  of 

51 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

from  four  to  eleven,  short-stemmed  oval,  long  oval 
or  egg-shaped  leaflets,  which  are  often  notched  at  the 
apex  and  narrowed  toward  the  base  where  they  unite 
at  the  same  point.  Their  margins  are  almost  entire, 
and  their  surface  is  marked  with  white  or  cream-white, 
triangular  forms.  The  joints  are  sheathed  with  a  pair 
of  bristly  pointed  wings  or  stipules.  The  large,  hand- 
some flower  head  is  globe  or  egg  shaped,  and  is  set 
closely  between  a  pair  of  compound  leaves  at  the  tip 
of  the  branches,  and  from  the  side  of  the  stalk.  It 
is  composed  of  many  densely  clustered  florets.  The 
colour  varies  from  crimson  to  magenta  with  white 
bases,  the  latter  showing  less  distinctly  at  a  distance. 
The  florets  finally  fade  to  a  dark  brown,  but  they 
remain  erect  until  after  the  fruit  ripens.  The  Red 
Clover  grows  perennially  in  fields  and  meadows 
everywhere,  and  is  particularly  common  east  of  the 
Mississippi  River.  It  blossoms  from  April  to  Novem- 
ber, according  to  locality.  This  species  is  also  a 
native  of  northern  Asia. 

ALSIKE.     ALSATIAN,  OR  SWEDISH   CLOVER 

Trijolium  hyhridum.     Pea  Family, 

The  Alsatian  Clover  resembles  the  White  Clover, 
except  that  the  stalk  is  erect  or  ascending,  and  it 
does  not  root  at  the  joints.  The  flower  heads  are 
delightfully  tinted  with  a  charming  pink  or  rose  colour 
slightly  diffused  with  cream,  and  are,  therefore,  some- 
what more  beautiful  than  the  latter  species.  They 
are    exceedingly    fragrant,    and    generally    common. 

52 


WILD  FLOWERS  pink 

The  round,  grooved,  branching  stalk  is  sometimes 
stout  and  juicy.  It  is  nearly  smooth,  very  leafy,  and 
rises  from  one  to  two  feet  in  height.  The  leaves  are 
set  on  long,  slender  stems,  and  where  the  latter  joins 
the  stalk,  the  union  is  protected  by  two  thin-textured 
and  flaring  wings  or  stipules.  The  leaf  is  compounded 
of  three  egg-shaped  leaflets,  which  narrow  toward 
the  base  and  unite  with  short  stems  at  the  same  point. 
They  are  unmarked,  and  the  margins  are  finely  cut 
with  sharply  pointed  teeth.  The  numerous  small 
florets  are  often  nearly  white.  They  are  densely 
crowded  into  rounded  heads  on  the  tips  of  slender 
stems.  The  corolla  is  three  or  four  times  as  large  as 
the  calyx,  which  is  finished  with  awl-shaped  teeth. 
As  the  florets  open,  they  spread  outward  and  down- 
ward; and  as  they  fade,  the  dried,  light  brown  husks 
form  a  rusty  collar  around  the  stem,  lending  a  ragged 
touch  to  the  tidy,  still  blooming  florets  above  them. 
This  species  is  sometimes  cultivated  for  fodder.  It 
blossoms  from  May  to  October,  in  meadows  and  along 
waysides,  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Idaho,  and  south  to 
New  Jersey  and  Georgia. 

WHITE,    OR   TRUE   WOOD    SORREL.     ALLELUIA. 
SOUR  TREFOIL.   SHAMROCK 

Oxalis  Acetosella.     Wood  Sorrel  Family. 

Oxalis  is  derived  from  a  Greek  word,  meaning  sour, 
and  refers  to  the  acid  juice  of  the  plant.  In  the  cool, 
shady  recesses  of  our  mountainous  regions  this  dainty 
plant  is   fairly  rampant.     Our   Northern   forests  are 

53 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

literally  carpeted  with  its  fretwork  of  leaves,  which  are 
formed  into  green  patches,  or  beds  of  every  conceiv- 
able angle  where  they  are  crisscrossed  by  the  runways 
of  deer  or  moose  and  decaying,  mossy  trunks  of  fallen 
trees.  In  May  and  June  these  lovely,  leafy  group- 
ings are  starred  with  the  strikingly  large  and  beau- 
tiful flowers  which  are  white,  pink-tinted  or  veined. 
The  Clover-like  leaves  fold  downward  at  night,  not 
unlike  a  clumsy  umbrella.  This  species  is  native  in 
Europe,  Asia,  and  Northern  Africa.  It  was  familiar 
to  the  old  Italian  masters,  and  was  introduced  into 
some  of  the  early  Christian  paintings  by  Angelico  and 
Botticelli.  Oxalic  acid  is  produced  from  its  leaves, 
and  is  commonly  known  as  Salt  of  Lemons,  which  is 
extensively  used  by  painstaking  housewives  and 
laundresses  for  removing  rust  stains  from  linen. 
The  leaves  are  borne  on  slender  stems,  which,  rising 
from  a  scaly,  creeping  rootstock,  grow  to  be  from  two 
to  six  inches  in  height.  The  single  flower  is  broadly 
bell-shaped,  and  has  five  rounding,  notched  petals, 
with  five  long  and  five  short  stamens.  This  plant 
also  bears  the  curious,  bud-like  flowers  that  fertilize 
themselves  without  opening,  and  which  are  called 
cleistogamic,  and  are  borne  near  the  root  on  short, 
curved  stems.  The  name  Alleluia  came  to  be  a 
favoured  one  in  England,  because  the  flowering 
season  occurred  during  Easter  week.  Some  beHeve 
this  to  be  the  true  Shamrock  of  the  ancient 
Irish,  dating  back  to  the  time  of  St.  Patrick.  The 
White   Wood  Sorrel    ranges    from    Nova   Scotia    to 

54 


WILD  FLOWERS  pink 

Manitoba,    and   south   to   New   England   and   New 
York,  and  in  the  mountains  to  North  CaroHna. 

VIOLET  WOOD   SORREL 

Oxalis  violhcea.     Wood  Sorrel  Family. 

This  delightful  species  is  found  much  further  south- 
ward than  the  White  Wood  Sorrel.  It  has  a  brown- 
ish, scaly,  bulbous  root.  The  dainty  flowers  are  rose 
purple  in  colour,  and  several,  a  dozen  or  less,  are 
clustered  on  a  slender  stem  or  scape.  The  leaf  stems 
rise  from  four  to  nine  inches,  and  the  strongly 
ribbed.  Clover  -  like  leaves  grow  in  little  tufts  of 
from  four  to  eight.  The  Violet  Wood  Sorrel  ranges 
from  New  England  to  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and 
south  to  Florida  and  New  Mexico,  in  rocky,  sandy 
woods,   during  May  and  June. 

WILD  GERANIUM.     SPOTTED  CRANE'S=BILL. 
ALUiVi  ROOT 

Geranium  maculhtum.     Geranium  Family. 

The  large,  showy,  rose  purple  flowers  of  the  Wild 
Geranium  enliven  the  monotony  of  low  and  shaded 
parts  of  moist,  open  woods  and  thickets,  from  April 
to  July.  They  are  odourless,  and  their  colour  varies 
greatly,  according  to  the  temperature  of  the  season 
and  their  exposure  to  sunlight.  The  flower  has  five 
well-rounded,  wedge-shaped  petals.  The  latter  are 
exceedingly  delicate  in  texture,  and  show  five  fine, 
transparent  fines  spreading  from  the  whitish  base 
which  is  slightly  fuzzy  or  bearded.     Ten  spreading, 

55 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

violet-tipped  stamens,  five  of  which  are  shorter  than 
the  rest,  surround  a  slender,  five-pointed,  green  pistil. 
This  remarkable  pistil  grows  an  inch  or  more  in 
length,  and  as  the  fruit  matures,  it  suddenly  splits 
upward  from  the  base  in  five  recurved  parts,  snapping 
the  seeds  sharply  in  various  directions.  This  is  one 
way  in  which  the  plants  spread  and  increase  by  their 
own  effort.  The  shape  of  this  curious  pistil  created 
the  name  of  Crane's-bill.  Geranium  is  the  Greek  word 
for  crane,  and  maculatum  alludes  to  the  pecuhar  white 
spots  and  blotches  so  often  found  on  the  leaves.  The 
calyx  is  five-parted,  and  hairy.  Each  part  or  sepal 
terminates  with  a  sharp,  bristling  point.  The  single 
stalk  branches  at  the  union  of  a  pair  of  short-stemmed 
leaves,  and  each  of  the  several  branches  is  often 
forked,  causing  the  flowers  to  occur  very  commonly 
in  pairs.  The  grooved  stalk  is  stout-fibred,  and  rises 
a  foot  or  two  in  height.  Excepting  the  petals,  the 
entire  plant  is  covered  with  minute,  whitish  hairs. 
The  large,  spreading,  coarsely  veined  leaf  is  deeply 
divided  into  three  or  more,  usually  five,  sections, 
each  of  which  is  again  cleft  into  three  more  or  less 
sharply  notched  lobes.  The  basal  leaves  are  long- 
stemmed.  The  general  colour  is  a  medium  light  green 
above,  and  of  a  lighter  shade  on  the  under  side.  In 
autumn  they  turn  to  a  brilliant  scarlet,  and  are  par- 
ticularly attractive.  The  Crane's-bill  is  very  touchy, 
and  wilts  hopelessly  almost  as  soon  as  picked.  The 
flowers  are  very  fragile,  and  the  petals  usually  drop 
away    upon    the    shghtest    provocation.    The    thick, 

56 


WILD  FLOWERS  pink 

brownish,  fleshy  rootstock  has  a  puckery  taste,  strongly 
suggesting  that  of  alum,  and  for  this  reason  it  is  known 
as  Alum  Root.  It  is  considered  one  of  our  most  desir- 
able astringents,  and  owing  to  its  lack  of  bitterness, 
it  is  especially  adapted  for  infants  and  for  persons 
having  very  delicate  stomachs.  It  is  a  popular  do- 
mestic remedy,  and  is  said  to  have  been  used  by  the 
Indians.  It  is  found  more  or  less  commonly  from 
Newfoundland  and  Manitoba,  south  to  Georgia,  Ala- 
bama, and  Missouri. 

HERB  ROBERT.      RED   ROBIN.      RED  SHANKS 

Geranium  Robertianum.     Geranium  Family. 

This  plant  received  much  notoriety  during  the  time 
of  Robert's  Plague,  when  it  was  believed  to  have 
effected  many  cures.  It  has  been  called  the  "holy 
herb  of  Robert."  Just  where  it  received  the  name  of 
Robert  is  an  open  question.  Some  say  that  it  was 
named  after  St.  Robert,  a  Benedictine  monk,  while 
others  hold  that  it  was  named  after  Robert,  Duke  of 
Normandy.  When  bruised  it  emits  a  disagreeable 
odour,  and  its  juice  has  an  astringent  and  bitterish 
taste.  As  a  medicine  it  is  used  in  cases  of  inter- 
mittent fever,  jaundice  and  various  other  ailments. 
It  is  also  used  externally  for  relieving  swellings,  and  is 
employed  as  a  gargle  in  throat  affections.  The  weak, 
leafy,  slender  stalk  branches  extensively,  and  grows 
from  six  to  eighteen  inches  high.  Because  it  is  stained 
with  crimson,  the  Scotch  Highlanders  call  it  Red 
Shanks.     The  thin  leaves  are  usually  set  in  pairs,  on 

57 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

long,  slender  stems.  They  are  strongly  scented,  and 
are  rather  ornamental,  being  cleft  into  three  or  five 
divisions,  with  their  margins  deeply  cut  and  notched 
into  fine  lobes  or  teeth.  They  are  often  stained  with 
red.  The  little,  short-stemmed  flowers  are  usually 
paired,  and  are  somewhat  bell-shaped  with  their  five 
petals  widely  spread.  They  are  red  purple  in  colour, 
and  have  ten  coloured  stamens  and  a  pink  pistil. 
The  hairy  green  calyx  has  five  parts,  and  the  seed 
pod  has  a  long,  slender  beak.  The  pod  has  a 
peculiar  habit  of  bursting  suddenly  open  and  flip- 
ping the  seeds  sharply  in  every  direction.  Herb 
Robert  blossoms  from  May  to  October  in  moist, 
rocky  woods  and  shaded  ravines,  from  Canada  to 
Pennsylvania,   and  ISIissouri. 

FRINGED  MILKWORT.  FLOWERING 
WINTERGREEN.  GAY  WINGS 

PoVygala  paucijolia.     Milkwort  Family. 

The  pecuhar  construction  of  this  very  dainty  and 
charming  flower  at  once  suggests  that  of  an  Orchid. 
The  single  slender  stalk  rises  from  four  to  seven  inches 
from  slender,  prostrate  stems  and  rootstocks.  The 
pointed  oval  or  oblong  leaves  are  gathered  toward  the 
summit  of  the  stalk.  They  are  narrowed  into  short 
stems.  Small,  clasping,  bract-like  leaves  are  scattered 
sparingly  along  the  stalk.  They  are  thick,  smooth, 
glossy  and  rough-margined.  The  delicate,  bright, 
rose-purple  flowers  are  likened  to  gaily  winged  butter- 
flies.    Two  of  the  five  sepals  are  highly  coloured  like 

58 


WILD  FLOWERS  pink 

petals  and  form  a  pair  of  wide-spreading  wings 
on  either  side  of  the  corolla.  The  three  white 
petals  are  formed  into  a  long,  slender  tube  enclos- 
ing the  stamens,  and  the  lower  one,  which  is 
parted  and  extended,  is  beautifully  fringed.  It 
also  bears  an  underground  flower  that  matures  in 
the  bud.  The  leaves  endure  the  winter,  becoming 
reddish  and  bronzy  before  they  are  replaced  in  the 
spring.  The  Milkwort  blossoms  from  May  to  July, 
in  rich,  moist  woods,  from  Georgia  and  Illinois 
northward  into  Canada. 

FIELD,  OR  PURPLE  MILKWORT 

Polygala  sanguinea.     Milkwort  Family. 

Such  a  tiny,  deHcate,  crimson-headed  sprite  of  a 
flower  may  be  easily  overlooked  in  the  grass.  The 
erect,  wiry  stems  grow  from  six  to  fifteen  inches  in 
height.  It  is  very  leafy,  branches  at  the  top,  and  is 
somewhat  angled.  The  small,  narrow,  acutely- 
pointed  leaves  are  thick  and  clasping.  Their  margin 
is  entire,  and  they  are  alternated  on  the  stalk.  The 
Clover-like  flower  heads  are  composed  of  numerous 
tiny  flowers,  closely  clustered  in  a  thick,  oval  spike. 
Green  flower  heads  are  often  found  growing  in  com- 
pany with  the  crimson  ones,  and  the  two  together  are 
very  curious  and  pretty.  The  tiny  petals  of  the  flower 
are  enveloped  with  two  enlarged,  crimson  sepals  which 
are  overlapped  so  tightly  that  the  petals  are  hidden 
from  view.  The  lower  rows  of  flowers  mature  in 
succession  and  drop  away  as  the  head  is  prolonged. 

59 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

Polygala  is  the  Greek  word  for  much  milk,  and  cattle 
feeding  upon  the  plants  were  formerly  supposed 
to  yield  larger  quantities  of  this  commodity.  This 
Milkwort  is  found  in  fields  and  meadows  from 
New  England  south  to  North  Carolina,  and  west 
to  Minnesota,  Arkansas,  and  Louisiana,  from  June 
to  September. 

LOW,  DWARF  OR  RUNNING  MALLOW. 
CHEESE  FLOWER 

Malva  rotundifolia.     Mallow  Family. 

Common  everywhere  about  dooryards  from  May 
to  November.  The  flowers  resemble  in  miniature  the 
Hollyhocks  of  our  gardens  to  which  they  are  related. 
Children  greatly  rehsh  the  edible  seeds  or  "cheeses," 
as  they  fondly  call  them  because  of  their  shape.  The 
roots  and  seeds  contain  a  soothing  mucilage,  which  is 
used  in  compounding  medicines  as  a  non-irritant. 
The  flowers  yield  a  blue  colouring  matter  which  serves 
as  a  test  of  acids  and  alkahes,  being  reddened  by  the 
former,  and  rendered  green  by  the  latter.  The  weak, 
slender,  spreading  stalk  branches  at  its  base  and  is 
deeply  rooted.  The  dark  green  leaves  are  rounding 
heart-shaped.  They  are  scalloped  with  five  or  more 
shallow  lobes  which  have  finely  toothed  margins. 
They  are  slightly  fluted  by  the  radiating  ribs,  and  are 
set  on  long,  rough  stems.  The  small,  flaring,  bell- 
shaped  flowers  are  clustered  close  to  the  stalk  on  short 
stems  springing  from  the  angles  of  the  leaves.  The 
five  oval  petals  are  notched  at  their  tips,  and  are  tinted 

60 


WILD  FLOWERS  pink 

with  pink  and  faintly  lined  with  veinings  of  a  deeper 
hue.  The  hard,  flat,  rounded  seed  is  composed  of 
about  fifteen  parts,  or  carpels,  and  is  surrounded  by  a 
five-parted  calyx,  which  partly  enfolds  the  seed  with 
its  long,  pointed  tips.  The  seed  is  green  at  first,  but 
gradually  turns  brown  as  it  ripens. 

SWAMP  ROSE=MALLOW.     MALLOW  ROSE 

Hibiscus  Moscheutos.     Mallow  Family. 

The  gorgeous  pink,  flaring,  bell-shaped  flowers  of 
the  so-called  "Marsh  Mallow"  may  be  seen  near  the 
edges  of  brakish  marshes  during  midsummer  along 
the  Atlantic  Coast  from  Massachusetts  to  Florida  and 
Louisiana,  and  also  inland  in  the  Great  Lake  region. 
Wherever  they  are  found,  they  will  recall  the  dignified 
Hollyhock  sentinels  that  used  to  peep  over  the  red  brick 
walls  in  the  Kate  Greenaway  nursery  picture-books 
we  all  loved  so  well.  And  it 's  a  natural  suggestion, 
too,  since  both  flowers  are  cousins.  The  Hollyhock 
came  to  us  from  China,  where  it  certainly  could  never 
see  over  the  wall!  There  is  a  certain  tropical  air 
about  the  Rose-Mallow  that  impresses  one  with  its 
grandeur.  It  is  so  large  and  stately,  so  fresh  and  lovely, 
so  prosperous  and  beautiful,  this  tall,  handsome  plant, 
that  one  cannot  weU  resist  the  temptation  to  become 
better  acquainted  with  it.  But  this  is  not  altogether 
an  easy  matter,  because  it  chooses  to  keep  aloof  from 
inquisitive  mortals  and  has  a  tantalizing  way  of  grow- 
ing just  beyond  one's  reach  in  the  deep,  treacherous 
quagmire  where  it  is  found.     It  is  one  of  our  largest  wild 

6i 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

flowers,  and  measures  from  four  to  seven  inches  broad. 
The  five  large,  rounded,  wedge-shaped  petals  are  a 
pure,  rosy  pink  in  colour,  sometimes  entirely  white, 
and  often  marked  with  a  rich,  crimson  blotch  at  the 
base.  They  are  strongly  ribbed.  The  long,  slender 
pistil  splits  into  five  flat-headed  tips,  and  for  most  of 
its  length,  it  is  enclosed  with  a  tube  bearing  many 
pale  yellow  stamens.  The  five-parted  calyx  is  sup- 
ported with  a  row  of  ten  narrow  bractlets.  The 
flowers  are  clustered  on  short  stems  at  the  top  of  the 
stout,  leafy,  cane-like  stalks,  several  of  which  spring 
from  a  perennial  root,  and  rise  from  four  to  seven  feet 
in  height.  The  large,  oval  leaves  taper  sharply  to  a 
slender  point,  and  are  rounded  at  the  base.  Often 
they  have  a  short  pointed  lobe  on  either  side.  The 
margins  are  indented  with  small,  rounded  teeth.  The 
surface  is  smooth  above  and  the  colour  is  full  green. 
The  underside  is  covered  with  a  soft,  whitish  down,  and 
the  ribs  show  prominently. 

The  Marsh  Mallow,  Althaea  officinalis,  is  a  much 
smaller  and  altogether  different  species,  which  has 
been  introduced  from  Europe  and  has  become  natural- 
ized in  salt  marshes  along  the  coast  from  Massa- 
chusetts to  New  Jersey  and  locally  westward  to  Michi- 
gan and  Arkansas.  In  Europe  it  is  raised  for  its 
thick  roots,  from  which  is  obtained  a  mucilage  used 
in  making  the  white  marshmallow  candy  sold  at  every 
confectionery  store,  and  also  as  an  important  ingredient 
in  preparing  cough  syrups.  It  is  interesting  to  note 
that  another  relative  is  the  common  okra,  a  familiar 

63 


WILD  FLOWERS  •  pink 

market  vegetable,  which  yields  a  thickening  sub- 
stance used  in  making  soup.  Still  another  kinsman, 
the  Rose  of  China,  is  a  hot-house  species,  whose  petals, 
it  is  said,  are  employed  by  Chinese  housewives  in 
staining  their  teeth  black! 

MEADOW  BEAUTY.      DEERQRASS 

Rhexia  virginica.     Melastoma  Family. 

There  is  a  pleasing  individual  air  about  this  delicate 
beauty  that  is  always  sure  to  win  our  admiration  as  it 
sways  its  captivating  golden-spangled,  bright  purple 
flowers  among  the  tall  grasses  of  our  sandy  marshes 
during  August.  With  slightly  winged  angles,  the 
square,  more  or  less  hairy,  rather  stout  and  branching 
stalk  grows  from  twelve  to  eighteen  inches  in  height. 
It  is  grooved  and  of  a  light  green  colour.  The  thin, 
finely  toothed,  pointed  oval  leaves  have  three  noticeable 
ribs,  and  they  are  arranged  in  alternating,  opposite 
pairs.  They  are  stemless,  and  a  few  hairs  are  scattered 
sparingly  over  their  otherwise  smooth  surface.  The 
large,  fragile  flowers  are  gathered  in  small  terminal 
clusters,  on  slender,  leafy  branches  which  spring  frem 
the  angles  of  the  leaves  in  corresponding  pairs  on  this 
nicely  balanced  plant.  They  usually  open  one  at  a 
time,  and  perish  soon  after  they  are  plucked.  The 
four  rounded,  spreading  petals  are  inserted  on  the 
summit  of  the  hairy,  urn-shaped  calyx.  The  eight 
long,  purplish  stamens  are  capped  with  large,  semi- 
circular, bright  yellow  anthers  which  are  very  con- 
spicuous.    The   pistil   is  long,  slender,  and  crooked. 

63 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

This  species  ranges  from  Maine  to  Florida  and  west 
to  Illinois,   Missouri,   and  Louisiana. 

GREAT,  OR  SPIKED  WILLOW=HERB.      FIREWEED 

EpUobium  angustifolium.     Evening  Primrose  Family. 

In  low  grounds,  especially  in  recent  clearings  and 
newly  burned  over  lands,  the  tall,  showy,  swaying, 
magenta  spikes  of  the  Fireweed  attract  our  attention 
during  June,  July  and  August,  from  coast  to  coast. 
So  promptly  and  persistently  does  it  follow  in  the 
destructive  tracks  of  fire  and  axe  that  I  have  often 
thought  this  Phoenix  of  our  woodlands  raised  its 
brilliant  danger  signals  as  a  silent  protest  and  warning 
against  the  reckless  devastation  of  our  depleted  forests. 
The  upright,  rather  stout,  simple  or  branched  stalk 
grows  from  two  to  eight  feet  in  height.  The  very 
short-stemmed,  alternating,  thin-textured  leaves  are 
lance-shaped  —  long  and  narrow,  resembling  willow 
leaves  —  and  are  usually  toothless.  They  are  pale 
beneath,  and  their  lateral  veinings  curve  into  each 
other  near  the  edge.  The  perfect  rosettes  of  tufted 
basal  leaves  are  extremely  ornamental  in  their  geo- 
metric formation.  The  flower  has  four  rounded,  widely 
spreading,  pink  petals  that  are  broadest  above  the 
middle.  The  four  long,  narrow,  pointed,  brownish 
sepals  alternate  with  the  petals  between  which  they 
expose  their  entire  length.  It  has  one  four-tipped 
pistil  and  eight  spreading  stamens.  The  flower  is  set 
atop  a  slender,  silky,  crimson  or  purple  stained  pod. 
The  buds  succeed  each  other  closely  and  graduate  in 

64 


WOOD  BETONY.     Pedicularis  canadensis 


CARDINAL  FLOWER.     RED  LOBELIA.     Lobelia  cardinalis 


WILD  FLOWERS  pink 

size  as  they  approach  the  tip  of  the  curving  spike. 
They  are  hung  upside  down,  and  become  erect  as  the 
flower  opens.  The  arrangement  is  loose  and  terminal. 
After  the  flower  fades,  the  curving  pod  continues  to 
lengthen  and  when  it  is  ripe  it  splits  asunder  length- 
wise, grotesquely  and  every  which  way,  liberating  a 
very  fine,  silky,  webby  mass  of  soft  fluffy  down  to  which 
are  attached  the  tiniest  seeds  that  float  away  with  the 
breezes.  Where  this  plant  occurs  in  extensive  colonies, 
it  presents  an  unusually  dilapidated  and  bedraggled 
appearance,  which  is  not  improved  with  the  effects  of 
rainy  weather.  The  Fireweed  is  found  from  North 
Carolina,  Kansas  and  California  northward  to  Labra- 
dor and  Alaska.  The  tender,  reddish  green  shoots  of 
this  plant  are  considerably  used  as  a  pot-herb  through- 
out the  Northwestern  States  and  Canada.  And  it  is 
said  that  among  the  tribes  of  British  Columbia  the 
pith  of  the  young  stalk  is  cooked  and  eaten.  The 
leaves  and  roots  also  have  some  medicinal  qualities  on 
account  of  their  astringency.  Kaporie  tea,  a  beverage 
extensively  used  by  the  Russians,  is  made  from  the 
leaves  of  this  species. 

PURPLE-LEAVED  WILLOW=HERB 

Epdobium  coloratum.     Evening  Primrose  Family. 

A  very  common,  erect,  and  much-branched  species 
with  a  finely  haired  stalk,  growing  from  one  to  three 
feet  high,  in  low  grounds  from  Maine  to  Ontario, 
Wisconsin,  Nebraska,  South  Carolina  and  Missouri, 
from  June  to  September.     The  finely  toothed  leaf  is 

6S 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

long  and  narrow,  and  usually  very  short-stemmed. 
The  numerous  pink  or  white  flowers  have  four  small 
rounded  and  notched  petals  and  eight  yellow  stamens. 
The  flowers  are  fixed  on  the  end  of  a  slender 
pod  and  are  generally  nodding.  The  purple  -  stained 
pod  splits  open  in  the  fall  and  frees  a  mass  of 
cinnamon  coloured  fluff.  The  stem  and  leaves  are 
often  tinged  with  purple. 

PIPSISSEWA.     PRINCE'S  PINE 

Chimaphila  umheUata.     Wintergreen  Family. 

Pipsissewa  was  employed  by  the  Indians  in  reliev- 
ing affections  of  the  skin  and  for  rheumatism.  It 
was  also  a  very  popular  remedy  among  the  early  set- 
tlers of  this  country.  The  foliage,  when  crushed, 
exhales  a  peculiar  odour,  and  the  flowers  are  delicately 
perfumed.  The  perennial  stalk  creeps  extensively 
underground,  and  sends  up  green,  leafy  branches  a 
foot  or  so  in  height.  The  thick,  shining,  evergreen 
leaves  are  long-oblong,  and  widen  toward  the  tip  with 
a  sharply  toothed  margin.  They  are  arranged  in 
whorls  about  the  stalk.  Several  five-petalled,  waxy, 
white  or  purplish  flowers  are  gathered  on  curved  stems 
in  a  loose  terminal  cluster.  The  centre  is  marked 
with  a  deep  pink  ring,  and  the  ten  purple-tipped 
stamens  are  spread  against  the  widely  flaring,  con- 
caved petals  which  encircle  the  large,  thick,  and 
sticky  -  topped  green  pistil.  The  round,  brown 
seed  cases  ripen  on  the  stem,  which  becomes 
erect  after  the  petals  fall.     The  flowers  are  found  in 

66 


WILD  FLOWERS  pink 

dry  woods  where  there  is  plenty  of  leafmould,  from 
June  to  August,  and  range  from  the  Atlantic 
to  the  Pacific  in  Canada,  and  south  to  Georgia, 
Mexico,  and  California. 

SPOTTED  WINTERQREEN 

Chimaphila  niaculata.     Wintergreen  Family. 

This  species  is  very  similar  to  the  Prince's  Pine  or 
Pipsissewa,  but  can  readily  be  distinguished  by  the 
white  mottling  of  its  tapering  leaves.  It  does  not 
grow  quite  so  high  either,  and  the  leaves  are  lance- 
shaped,  with  sharp,  distant  teeth  along  the  margins. 
The  leaves  are  thick  and  smooth,  and  are  arranged 
on  the  reddish  stalk  in  pairs  and  in  whorls.  They 
are  dark  green  and  mottled  with  white  along 
the  veins.  The  white  or  pinkish  flowers  are  quite 
like  those  of  the  preceding  species.  They  are  a 
trifle  larger,  and  lack  the  pink  ring  in  the  centre. 
They  are  found  from  June  to  August  in  dry 
woods,  from  Maine  and  Ontario  to  Minnesota,  and 
southward  to  Georgia  and  Mississippi. 

WILD    HONEYSUCKLE.        PINXTER    FLOWER. 
PINK,    PURPLE  OR  WILD   AZALEA 

Rhododendron  nudiflhrum.     Heath  Family. 

The  lively  flower  clusters  of  the  beautiful  Wild 
Honeysuckle  reflect  the  glory  of  spring  with  a  vivid- 
ness that  is  well-nigh  unrivalled.  The  brilliancy 
of  its  fringy  blossoms  illuminates  our  open  woodlands, 
hillsides   and   swamps  from  April  to  June,  and  as  the 

67 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

flowers  usually  burst  into  bloom  before  their  foliage 
expands,  they  are  particularly  conspicuous  and  win- 
some. At  this  time,  they  also  possess  a  peculiar 
attraction  for  small  boys,  who  eagerly  seek  a  singular 
edible  pulpy  growth,  known  to  them  as  the  May- 
Apple,  which  is  found  hanging  among  the  fragrant 
flowers.  Years  ago  this  juicy,  pale  green  morsel 
was  supposed  to  have  been  caused  by  insects,  but 
it  is  now  beheved  to  be  a  modified  bud.  The  Wild 
Azalea  grows  from  two  to  six  feet  high,  and  branches 
at  the  summit.  The  stalk  is  leafy,  smooth,  and 
woody  fibred.  The  thin,  oval  leaves  taper  toward 
either  end,  and  are  set  alternately  or  in  clusters  on 
the  stalk.  They  are  toothless,  and  short-stemmed, 
and  their  margins  are  finely  haired.  The  colour  is 
a  lovely,  soft,  golden  yellow-green.  The  large,  tubu- 
lar flower  has  five  long-pointed,  widely  spreading 
divisions,  each  of  which  is  creased  from  the  throat 
to  the  tip.  The  pistil  and  five  pink  stamens  extend 
far  beyond  the  corolla.  They  are  noticeably  curved, 
and  unusually  long  and  slender.  The  flowers  vary 
from  pink  or  purple  to  flesh  colour,  or  nearly  white. 
The  long,  narrow  tube  is  covered  with  fine  hairs, 
and  is  set  in  a  very  small,  five-parted  calyx.  Several 
flowers  on  short,  green  stems  are  gathered  in 
showy,  round-topped  clusters  on  the  ends  of  the 
flaring,  angular  branches.  The  Pink  Azalea  is 
found  in  dry,  open,  sandy,  or  moist,  rocky  woods 
and  thickets,  from  Maine  to  Illinois,  and  southward 
to  Florida  and  Texas.     The  x\zalea  is  the  national 

68 


WILD  FLOWERS  pink 

flower  of  Flanders.     Honey  made  from  these  flowers 
is  said  to  cause  ill  effects. 

AMERICAN,  OR  GREAT  RHODODENDRON 
GREAT  LAUREL.   ROSE  TREE,  OR  BAY 

Rhododendron  maximum.     Heath  Family. 

This  plant  has  been  considered  to  be  the  handsomest 
and  most  beautiful  of  our  native  ornamental  shrubs. 
It  is  now  highly  esteemed  and  extensively  used  for 
decorating  home  grounds  and  parks.  In  the  Alle- 
ghany regions  it  covers  entire  mountain  sides  so 
densely  as  to  make  any  attempt  to  penetrate  them 
well-nigh  impossible.  The  flowers  are  arranged  in 
large  terminal  clusters  which  nearly  cover  the  plant 
during  June  and  July,  and  present  a  sight  that  is 
magnificent  beyond  description.  The  wood  is  hard, 
and  strong,  light  brown  in  colour,  and  a  cubic  foot 
weighs  thirty-nine  pounds.  The  Rhododendron  has 
been  adopted  as  the  state  flower  of  Washington  and 
West  Virginia.  Honey  made  from  the  flowers  is  said  to 
be  poisonous.  It  is  a  tall,  branching  shrub,  or  some- 
times a  tree  upward  of  forty  feet  high  and  a  foot  in 
diameter,  but  usually  from  six  to  thirty  feet  high.  The 
long-oblong  or  broad  lance-shaped  evergreen  leaves 
are  narrowed  toward  the  base,  and  are  very  smooth, 
leathery,  toothless,  and  shiny.  They  are  dark  green, 
blunt-pointed,  short-stemmed  and  strongly  ribbed. 
The  flower,  which  often  grows  two  inches  broad, 
is  bell-shaped,  with  five  spreading,  oval  lobes.  They 
are  usually  rose  coloured,  varying  to  white,  with  a 

69 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

greenish  throat  and  spotted  with  yellowish  or  orange 
spots.  They  have  ten  equally  spreading  stamens 
and  one  pistil.  The  buds  are  cone  -  like,  and  the 
five-parted  green  calyx  is  very  small.  This  mag- 
nificent plant  is  found  in  deep,  damp  woods  and 
along  streams  in  hilly  country  from  Nova  Scotia, 
Ontario,  and   Ohio  to  Georgia. 

AMERICAN,     OR     MOUNTAIN     LAUREL.     CALICO 

BUSH.    CLAMOUN.    SPOON=WOOD.    IVY=BUSH. 

KALMIA 

Kalmia  latifolia.     Heath  Family. 

This  beautiful  evergreen  shrub  is  a  close  rival  of 
the  magnificent  Rhododendron,  and  has  been  adopted 
as  the  state  flower  of  Connecticut.  It  grows  usually 
from  three  to  eight  feet  high  and  upward,  and  often 
forms  dense  thickets  that  defy  passage.  It  has  been 
known  to  attain  a  rare  height  of  forty  feet  with  a  diame- 
ter of  eighteen  inches.  The  wood  is  exceedingly  hard 
and  very  heavy,  a  cubic  foot  weighing  forty-four  pounds. 
The  leafy,  angular  branches  are  very  stiff  and  irregular. 
The  handsome,  shining,  dark  green  leaves  are  long- 
oblong  in  shape  and  pointed  at  either  end.  They 
are  toothless,  strongly  ribbed,  and  smooth.  They  have 
very  short  stems,  and  are  arranged  either  alternately 
or  in  opposite  pairs,  or  terminally  in  small,  clustered 
groups.  The  beautiful,  fragrant  flowers  vary  from 
pink  to  white,  and  are  arranged  on  short,  sticky  stems 
in  numerous,  large,  showy,  terminal  clusters,,  each  of 
which  is  closely  surrounded  with  drooping  or  hollowed 

70 


WILD  FLOWERS  pink 

leaves,  like  individual  bouquets.  The  flowers  are 
curiously  constructed.  The  corolla  is  bowl-shaped 
with  five  low  points,  and  around  the  middle,  on  the 
outside,  there  is  a  circle  of  ten  short,  blunt  projections 
forming,  on  the  inside,  tiny  pockets  in  which  are  held 
the  tips  of  the  ten  stamens.  The  silky,  white  stamens 
are  arched  backward  from  the  centre  of  the  corolla 
somewhat  like  spokes  in  a  wheel.  The  pale  green 
pistil  has  a  ten-pointed  star  outlined  in  purple  around 
its  base,  corresponding  to  the  hub  of  the  wheel.  A 
slight  touch  releases  the  stamens  from  the  little  pockets 
and  they  snap  violently  toward  the  pistil,  scattering  a 
little  shower  of  pollen  and  thereby  accomplishing  the 
purpose  for  which  they  were  intended.  The  pink  bud 
is  cone-like  and  corrugated.  The  green  calyx  is 
insignificant.  Honey  made  from  these  flowers  has 
been  found  to  be  poisonous,  and  the  Government  has 
classed  the  Kalmias  among  our  principal  poisonous 
plants.  The  foliage  is  very  destructive  to  cattle  and 
sheep.  It  contains  a  dangerous  substance  which, 
when  eaten,  is  more  deadly  than  strychnine.  Children 
have  been  overcome  from  the  intoxicating  effects  of 
eating  the  young  shoots,  which  they  have  mistaken 
for  Wintergreen.  The  Indians  were  familiar  with 
the  poisonous  nature  of  the  leaves  and  made  a  decoc- 
tion therefrom  which  they  drank  when  disposed  with 
suicidal  intent.  The  leaves  have  also  been  used  illegally 
to  simulate  the  effects  of  cheap  liquors.  This  hand- 
some genus  of  American  Laurels  was  dedicated  to 
Peter  Kalin,  who  was  a  pupil  of  Linnaeus,  and  who 

71 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

travelled  in  this  country.  The  Mountain  Laurel 
blossoms  during  May  and  June  in  rocky,  hilly  woods 
and  damp  soil  from  Canada  and  Ohio  to  the  Gulf 
States. 

SHEEP  LAUREL.       LAMBKILL.       WICKY.       CALF- 
KILL.     SHEEP-POISON 

Kalmia  angustifoha.     Heath  Family. 

Thoreau  regarded  this  species  as  being  "  handsomer 
than  the  Mountain  Laurel,"  but  his  point  of  view  in  this 
respect  has  not  met  with  popular  approval.  The 
Lambkill  has  the  reputation  of  being  the  most  poison- 
ous of  the  Laurels,  and  its  foliage  has  caused  many 
deaths  among  cattle.  The  plant  is  similar  in  most 
ways  to  the  Mountain  Laurel,  but  is  much  smaller.  It 
grows  only  from  six  inches  to  three  feet  high  with  a 
few  nearly  erect  branches  and  is  very  leafy.  The 
drooping,  evergreen  leaves  are  oblong  or  lance-shaped, 
mostly  in  opposite  pairs,  or  near  the  ends  of  the 
branches  in  small  groups.  They  are  smooth  and 
dark-green,  with  yellowish  midrib  and  short  stems, 
and  are  frequently  marred  with  rusty  spots.  The 
saucer-shaped  flower  is  purple  or  crimson,  with  shiny, 
purple-tipped,  pink  stamens  and  a  pink  pistil.  The 
flowers  are  arranged  in  loose,  round  clusters,  whorled 
on  the  old  stalk,  or  on  one  side  just  below  the 
new,  light  green,  erect  leaves  of  the  recent  exten- 
sion. In  the  Southern  States,  where  the  darkies  go 
about  barefooted,  the  leaves  are  used  by  them 
as  a  remedy  for  sore  feet.     Sheep  Laurel  is  found 

72 


WILD  FLOWERS  pink 

during    June    and    July,    in    moist    soil    in    swamps 
or  in  hillside  pastures,  from  Canada  to  Georgia. 

TRAILING   ARBUTUS.     MAYFLOWER. 
GROUND   LAUREL 

Epigaea  repens.     Heath  Family. 

The  rarest  charm  hovers  about  the  Trailing  Arbutus 
which  is,  perhaps,  more  intensified  throughout  the 
New  England  States  than  elsewhere,  because  of  Whit- 
tier's  popular  poetic  legend  regarding  this  species  as 
the  first  wild  flower  to  greet  the  Pilgrims  after  they  had 
landed  at  Plymouth  Rock,  and  also  because  it  is  said 
to  have  been  named  after  their  famous  ship,  the  May- 
flower. Arbutus  is  sold  on  the  streets  of  our  principal 
Eastern  cities  every  spring,  at  so  much  per  bunch,  and 
this  practice  should  be  strongly  discouraged,  since  the 
plant  is  becoming  more  restricted  in  territory  and 
scarcer  each  year.  It  has  frequently  been  discussed 
as  a  candidate  for  our  national  flower,  and  there  is 
much  personal  sentiment  attached  to  it.  Above  all, 
it  is  one  of  the  most  popular  and  highly  rated  of  our 
wild  flowers.  It  thrives  best  in  shady,  evergreen 
woods  where  the  soil  is  sandy  and  rocky,  and  where  it 
spreads  its  slender,  rusty-brown,  hairy,  branching  and 
leafy  stalk  from  six  to  fifteen  inches  in  length.  It  clings 
closely  to  the  ground  under  dried  leaves,  grass  and 
pine  needles,  and  often  forms  large  patches.  The 
thick,  leathery,  alternating,  evergreen  leaves  are  nearly 
oval,  and  at  their  base  they  are  slightly  heart-shaped. 
They  are   toothless,   strongly  ribbed,  and   net-veined, 

73 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

green  on  both  sides,  and  are  set  on  short,  hairy  stems. 
The  margin  is  wavy,  and  the  surface  is  slightly  rough. 
New  leaves  do  not  put  forth  until  after  the  flowering 
season.  The  delicate,  waxy  flowers  are  rather  large, 
and  are  closely  clustered  on  the  ends  of  the  branches. 
Five  rounded  points  spread  from  the  tubular  corolla, 
which  is  set  in  a  small,  five-parted,  leafy,  green  calyx 
on  a  tiny  stem.  The  pistil  and  ten  yellowish  stamens 
may  be  seen  at  the  throat  of  the  white  or  pinkish  white 
blossom.  The  flowers  are  exquisitely  fragrant,  and 
when  one  considers  their  cool,  damp  surroundings  so 
very  early  in  the  spring,  they  are  exceedingly  enticing. 
The  Trailing  Arbutus  is  found  from  March  to  May, 
from  Newfoundland  to  the  Northwest  Territory  and 
south  to  Florida,  Kentucky,  and  Michigan. 

SHOOTING    STAR.     AMERICAN    COWSLIP. 
PRIDE  OF  OHIO 

Dodecatheon  Meadia.     Primrose  Family. 

The  pert,  nodding  flowers  of  this  handsome  per- 
ennial decorate  the  moist  cHffs  and  ridges  in  open 
woodlands,  and  also  the  prairies,  during  April  and 
May,  from  Pennsylvania  to  Georgia,  and  west  to 
Manitoba  and  Texas.  The  flowering  stalk  rises  one 
or  two  feet  high  from  a  basal  cluster  of  pointed  oblong 
leaves,  which  taper  into  narrow,  winged  stems.  The 
rootstock  is  stout  and  fibrous.  Several  showy,  purplish 
pink  or  white  flowers  are  gathered  into  a  loose  ter- 
minal arrangement.  These  hang  from  slender,  curv- 
ing stems  which  spring  from  the  tip  of  the  stalk.     The 

74 


WILD  FLOWERS  pink 

five,  long,  narrow  lobes  of  the  corolla  are  bent  sharply 
backward  toward  the  stem,  exposing  five  yellow- 
capped  stamens,  which  are  closely  united,  forming  a 
cone,  and  a  very  long,  thread-like  pistil.  The  short 
tube  of  the  flower  is  thickened  at  the  throat,  and  marked 
with  dark,  purplish  dots. 

BITTER   BLOOM.      ROSE   PINK.     SQUARE= 
STEMMED   SABBATIA 

Sahatia  angularis.     Gentian  Family. 

The  fragrant,  bright,  rosy  flowers  of  the  Sabbatia 
glimmer  through  the  thickets  and  in  the  meadows 
where  they  grow  abundantly,  during  July  and  August. 
The  rather  stout,  much-branched  stalk  is  sharply 
four-sided,  and  grows  two  or  three  feet  high.  The 
branches,  which  bear  a  single  flower,  are  usually 
arranged  in  opposite  pairs.  The  stemless,  five-ribbed, 
pointed-oval  leaves  are  clasping  and  somewhat  heart- 
shaped  at  the  base,  and  occur  in  pairs.  The  large, 
slender-stemmed  flowers  are  rose-pink  in  colour  and 
are  marked  with  a  central  green  star.  The  wheel- 
shaped  corolla  has  five  rounded,  oval  se-gments.  The 
Rose  Pink  prefers  rich  soil,  and  ranges  from  New 
York  to  Floridgi,  and  west  to  Ontario,  Michigan, 
Indian  Territory  and  Louisiana. 

SPREADING  DOGBANE.      HONEY=BLOOM. 
BITTER=ROOT 

Apocynum  androsaemifoUutn.     Dogbane  Family. 

The  Dogbane  is  closely  related  to  the  Milkweed 
and  has  a  sticky,  milky  juice.     It  is  a  leafy  and  widely 

75 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

branching  perennial,  and  grows  from  one  to  four  feet 
high  from  a  horizontal  rootstock.  The  smooth  stalk 
is  usually  stained  on  one  side  with  red.  The  short- 
stemmed,  toothless,  oval  leaves  are  round-pointed 
at  either  end,  and  are  arranged  in  opposite  pairs. 
They  are  smooth  above,  and  paler  and  somewhat 
hairy  beneath.  The  small,  fragrant,  bell-shaped 
flowers  have  five  spreading,  recurved  lobes  united  in  a 
tube.  They  are  delicate  pink  in  colour,  with  veinings 
of  a  deeper  shade.  The  five  yellowish  stamens  are 
united  about  the  stigma.  The  nodding  flowers  all 
open  at  one  time,  and  are  borne  in  small,  loose 
clusters  on  the  ends  of  the  branches.  The  slender, 
twin  seed  pods  are  four  inches  in  length.  During 
July  great  numbers  of  our  most  iridescent  beetles 
are  attracted  to  the  foliage  of  the  Dogbane,  and  when 
thus  found,  they  furnish  a  sure  means  for  identifying 
this  plant.  This  species  was  considered  at  one  time 
to  be  poisonous  to  dogs.  It  is  common  during  June 
and  July,  along  roadsides  and  in  fields  and  thickets 
from  Georgia,  Nebraska,  and  Arizona,  far  north  into 
Canada.     Bitter-root  is  the  state  flower  of  Montana. 

THE  MILKWEEDS. 
SILVERWEED.       SWALLOW- WORT 

Asclepiadaceae.     Milkweed  Family. 

Our  common  Milkweeds  have  a  certain  strain  of 
beauty  and  elegance  peculiar  to  themselves.  They 
may  be  readily  distinguished  by  several  conspicuous 
characteristics  which  are  not  likely  to  be   confused 

76 


WILD  FLOWERS  pink 

with  those  of  any  other  family.  Of  course,  nearly 
everybody  knows  that  these  plants  are  filled  with  a 
copious,  milky  fluid  or  sap  that  exudes  upon  the  slightest 
provocation.  It  is  also  true,  in  a  way,  that  some- 
thing about  most  of  them  suggests  the  conventional 
type  of  rubber-plant  that  has  become  inseparable 
from  the  modern  city  apartment  —  more  so,  at  least, 
than  any  other  of  the  wild  flowers.  In  the  fall,  the 
bursting  seed  pods  expose  a  silvery,  white  mass  of 
soft,  silky  substance  of  the  finest  quality.  And  this 
fluffy,  flossy  material  is  popularly  gathered  and  util- 
ized for  fining  sofa  pillows.  The  intricate  construc- 
tion of  the  unique  flowers  is  of  unusual  interest.  They 
are  comparatively  small,  and  are  set  on  slender  stems 
which  spring  from  a  common  centre  and  form  a  well- 
grouped  terminal  cluster,  known  as  an  umbel.  The 
five-parted  calyx  is  bent  abruptly  downward  from  the 
deeply  cleft  and  five-parted  corolla,  which  is  crowned 
with  five  erect  or  spreading  hoods  seated  on  the  stamen 
tube,  and  each  of  them  encloses  a  little  incurving 
horn.  Five  short,  stout  stamens  are  inserted  on  the 
base  of  the  corolla  within  the  crown,  and  their  fringed 
tips  form  a  tube  which  incloses  the  pistil.  The 
broad  anthers  are  united  with  this  tube  at  their  base 
and  form  a  prominent  flat-topped,  sticky,  five-angled, 
stigmatic  disk.  The  vertical  cells  of  each  anther 
are  tipped  with  winged  membranes  containing  a 
flattened,  pear-shaped,  and  waxy  pollen  mass,  hung 
in  pairs  from  the  stigma,  like  tiny  wishbones.  These 
tiny  wings  become  wedged  on  the  feet  of  bees  and  are 

77 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

carried  by  them  to  other  flowers,  thus  completing 
a  very  remarkable  means  of  cross-fertilization,  which, 
by  the  way,  is  a  very  wonderful  study  in  itself. 

PURPLE  MILKWEED 

Asclepias  purpurascens.     Milkweed  FamHy. 

A  handsome  species  with  large,  deep  crimson  or  pur- 
ple flowers  found  in  dry  fields,  roadsides  and  thickets 
from  New  Hampshire  to  Ontario,  Minnesota,  Virginia, 
and  Kansas  during  June,  July,  and  August.  The 
usually  single  stalk  rises  from  two  to  four  feet  high, 
and  it  is  tough-fibred,  finely  grooved  and  very  leafy. 
It  is  so  full  of  milky  juice  that  it  fairly  spurts  out  when 
a  stem  or  leaf  is  broken.  The  long,  oval  leaf  tapers  to 
a  point  toward  the  tip,  and  narrows  at  the  base  into 
a  short  stem.  It  is  smooth  above,  and  finely  downy 
beneath.  The  entire  margins  are  sometimes  slightly 
wavy.  The  veins  are  wide-spreading,  and  the  midrib 
is  strong.  They  are  arranged  in  alternate  pairs. 
The  divisions  of  the  corolla  are  oblong  in  shape 
and  deep  purple  in  colour.  The  short,  broad  horn 
tapers  to  a  sharp  tip,  which  turns  acutely  toward  the 
centre.  The  numerous  flowers  are  loosely  clustered 
in  rounding   terminal  heads. 

SWAMP  MILKWEED 

Asclepias  incarnata.     Milkweed  Family. 

This  species  is  found  commonly  in  and  about  swamps 
from  July  to  September  and  ranges  through  New 
Brunswick  to  Tennessee,  Kansas,  and  Louisiana.    The 

78 


WILD  FLOWERS  piNK 

usually  smooth  stalk  is  slender  and  branched.  It  is 
leafy  to  the  top,  and  grows  from  two  to  four  feet  high. 
The  leaves  are  long  lance-shaped,  tapered  at  the  apex 
and  narrowed  toward  the  base,  where  they  are  some- 
times slightly  heart-shaped.  The  veins  are  ascending 
and  not  spreading  as  in  the  preceding  species.  Neither 
has  this  plant  an  abundance  of  milky  juice.  The 
leaves  grow  in  alternating  pairs,  and  are  set  on  short 
stout  stems.  The  numerous  flowers  are  arranged  in 
several  rather  small,  loose  terminal  and  flat-topped 
clusters.  They  are  not  large  and  the  corolla  is  red 
or  rose-purple,  rarely  white.  The  lobes  are  oblong,  and 
the  pink  or  purpHsh  hoods  are  shorter  than  the  enclosed, 
incurved  horns.  The  stems  of  the  slender  pods  are 
not  crooked. 

The  Hairy  Milkweed,  A.  pulchra,  is  a  more  northern 
species  with  shorter  stemmed,  broader  leaves,  and 
hghter  coloured  flowers.  It  is  more  or  less  hairy, 
and  the  stalk  is  stout.  It  ranges  from  Maine  to 
Minnesota  and  south  to  Georgia. 

COMMOM  MILKWEED.     SILKWEED 

Asclepias  syriaca.     Milkweed  Family. 

This  is  undoubtedly  the  most  familiar  of  the  Milk- 
weeds. It  is  found  everywhere  in  fields  and  along  wood 
and  roadsides  during  June,  July,  and  August,  from 
New  Brunswick  and  Saskatchewan  to  North  Carolina 
and  Kansas.  Its  presence  is  said  to  be  an  indication 
of  rich  rather  than  poor  soil.  The  sticky,  milky  juice 
of  this  species  is  less  copious  than  that  of  the  Purple 

79 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

Milkweed.  It  has  a  faint  odour  and  a  sub-acrid 
taste.  The  roots  have  been  especially  recommended 
in  cases  of  asthma,  but  they  are  probably  of  very  little 
value  as  a  medicine.  The  young  shoots  have  been 
used  as  a  vegetable,  and  were  cooked  much  after  the 
manner  of  asparagus  or  spinach.  The  stout,  round 
and  usually  simple  stalk  rises  from  three  to  five  feet 
high.  The  thick-textured  leaf  is  long-oval  in  shape, 
with  blunt,  rounding  ends.  The  apex  of  the  latter  is 
often  tipped  with  a  short,  stiff  point  and  the  base  is 
sometimes  narrowed  or  again  slightly  fulled  on  either 
side  at  the  short  stem.  The  veinings  are  widely 
spreading  and  the  midrib  is  very  prominent.  The 
margin  is  entire.  The  upper  surface  is  smooth,  and 
the  under  side  is  downy.  The  colour  above  is  grayish 
green,  and  whitish  or  silvery  beneath.  The  leaves 
measure  from  four  to  nine  inches  in  length.  The 
corolla  lobes  of  the  large  and  fleshy  flower  vary  from 
green  through  white,  to  finally  a  dull  purple,  from 
base  to  tip,  with  the  latter  colour  predominating.  The 
numerous  flowers  are  very  fragrant.  They  are  set  on 
slender  stems  that  spring  from  the  same  point  on  a 
short,  drooping  stalk  that  grows  from  the  axils  of  the 
upper  leaves,  and  they  form  large,  handsome,  rounding 
heads  or  umbels.  In  the  fall,  the  rough-coated,  satin- 
lined  seed  pods  are  filled  with  white  silky  fluff, 
which  is  attached  to  many  flat,  brownish  seeds 
that  overlap  each  other  like  so  many  shingles.  At 
this  time  they  are  a  familiar  sight,  and  the  down  has 
been  used  for  stuffing  many  a  pillow  and  mattress. 

80 


MOCCASIN  FLOWER.     PINK  LADY'S  SLIPPER.     Cypnpedium  acaule 


BOUNCING  BET.      SOAPWORT.     Saponaria  officinalis 


WILD  FLOWERS  pink 

Children  delight  to  make  pretty  little  plumes,  puff- 
balls  or  pompons  by  winding  the  seed  end  of  ever 
so  many  tufts  together  with  thread,  and  allowing  the 
free  ends  to  spread. 

POKE,   OR  TALL    MILKWEED 

Asclepias  phytolaccoides.     Milkweed  Family. 

This  really  beautiful  plant  is  one  of  the  most  deli- 
cately arrayed  of  its  kind.  It  is  not  easily  confused 
with  any  of  the  other  Milkweeds  that  are  likely  to  be 
found  in  common  with  it,  because  its  lovely  flowers 
are  creamy  or  ivory  white,  and  they  generally  hang 
deliberately  downward.  The  usually  smooth,  simple, 
leaf  stalk  is  very  milky,  and  grows  from  three  to  six 
feet  high.  The  large,  very  thin  textured  leaves  are 
broadly  egg-shaped,  and  are  pointed  at  both  ends. 
They  have  entire  margins  and  are  set  on  slender  stems. 
The  surface  is  smooth  or  slightly  downy  underneath, 
and  the  midrib  shows  prominently.  They  are  arranged 
in  alternate  pairs  on  the  stalk  and  become  narrower 
as  they  approach  the  summit.  The  numerous  large 
flowers  form  one  or  more  clusters  or  umbels  that  hang 
like  fringe,  nodding  loosely  on  long,  slender  stems 
which  droop  prettily  from  a  stout  support  set  in  the 
angles  of  the  upper  leaves.  The  corolla  lobes  are 
greenish,  and  the  short,  broad,  white  hoods  have  twin 
points.  The  long,  white  horns  have  sharp  tips  that 
project  and  curve  toward  the  centre.  The  green 
corolla  lobes  are  often  stained  with  purple,  and  the 
white  crown  becomes  pinkish.    This  Milkweed  blooms 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

from  June  to  August  in  moist  copses  and  woods,  from 
Maine  to  Minnesota,  Georgia,  and  Arkansas. 

FOUR=LEAVED  MILKWEED 

Asclepias  quadrifolia.  Milkweed  Family. 
This  more  dainty  and  ladylike  member  of  its  clan 
can  be  distinguished  immediately  by  its  leaves,  four 
of  which  are  arranged  in  opposite  pairs,  forming  a 
whorl  about  midway  on  the  slender  and  rather  naked 
stalk.  Only  one  or  two  whorls  may  occur  on  the 
stalk  which  grows  not  more  than  a  foot  or  two  high, 
but  single  pairs  of  leaves  are  often  found  above  or  even 
below  the  whorls.  The  thin-textured  leaves  are  long- 
oval  or  lance-shaped  with  long,  tapering  points  and 
slender  stems.  They  are  sHghtly  hairy  on  the  under- 
side along  the  veins,  and  the  margins  are  usually  entire. 
The  underside  is  also  of  a  lighter  shade.  The  oblong 
corolla  lobes  are  pale  pink,  the  eUiptical-oval  hoods 
are  white,  and  the  incurved  hook  is  short  and  thick. 
The  fragrant  flowers  are  comparatively  small,  and 
delicately  textured  and  toned.  They  are  set  on  slen- 
der, hairhke  stems,  and  are  less  numerous  and  fewer 
clustered  than  most  of  its  kin.  It  is  found  in  dry 
woods,  thickets,  and  hills  during  May,  June,  and  July, 
from  Maine  and  Ontario  to  Minnesota,  North  Caro- 
lina, and  Arkansas. 

GREAT  BINDWEED.     WILD  MORNING  GLORY 

Convolvulus  sepium.     Morning  Glory  Family. 

This  large  Wild  Morning  Glory  is  common  every- 
where along  roadsides  and  in  fields  and  thickets,  where 

82 


WILD  FLOWERS  pink 

it  twines  and  trails  extensively  over  the  ground  or  low 
shrubbery,  from  June  to  August.  The  main  stem 
grows  from  three  to  ten  feet  in  length,  and  is  round, 
leafy,  and  generally  smooth,  or  sometimes  minutely 
hair)\  The  slender  stemmed  leaves  are  triangular  in 
outUne  with  squared,  angular  lobes  at  the  base,  and 
are  tapering  toward  the  tip.  The  large,  bell-shaped 
flowers  are  usually  pink,  shading  to  white  at  the  base 
of  the  tube,  with  five  tapering  white  stripes  radiating 
from  the  centre  and  extending  to  the  edge  of  the 
corolla.  Five  stamens  and  a  pistil,  all  white,  are 
set  within  the  tube.  The  five  green  calyx  parts 
are  nearly  enclosed  by  two  large  cupped  bracts.  The 
solitary  flowers  are  set  on  the  tips  of  slender  stems. 
They  bloom  extensively,  and  show  a  preference  for 
moist  soil,  from  Nova  Scotia  to  North  Carolina,  and 
west  to  Minnesota,  Utah,  and  Nebraska. 

GROUND   PINK.     MOSS  PINK 

Phlox  subulata.     Phlox  Family. 

The  thick,  evergreen  tufts  of  the  Moss  Pink,  which 
spread  over  dry,  sandy,  or  rocky  ground  and  hillsides, 
forming  dense  moss-like  patches,  are  fairly  smothered 
with  the  dark-eyed,  pink,  purple,  or  white  blossoms 
from  April  to  June.  The  slender,  creeping,  leafy 
stalk  is  much  branched,  and  grows  only  several  inches 
high.  The  numerous  stiff,  sharp-pointed,  spreading 
green  leaves  are  very  narrow,  and  are  set  upon  the 
stem  in  frequent,  whorling  clusters.  The  five  spread- 
ing, wedge-shaped  divisions  of  the  tubular  corolla  are 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

notched  at  the  broadened  apex.  The  many  flowers  are 
gathered  in  crowded  terminal  clusters.  This  low- 
growing  Pink  is  found  from  New  York  to  Florida, 
and  west  to  Michigan  and  Kentucky. 

MOTHERWORT.     COWTHWORT 

Leonurus  Cardiaca.     Mint  Family. 

The  tall,  leafy,  and  often  branched  spires  of  this 
famihar^  old-fashioned,  domestic  herb  of  past  gen- 
erations, is  commonly  found  about  old  dwellings  and 
along  roadsides,  where  it  grows  from  two  to  five  feet 
in  height.  The  square  stem  is  rather  stout,  and, 
together  with  the  foliage,  is  usually  lightly  dusted  with 
whitish  powder.  The  branches  are  straight  and 
ascending.  The  thin  and  rather  soft  leaves  are  notice- 
ably veined,  and  are  set  in  close,  opposite  pairs,  which 
swing  out  in  every  direction  on  slender  stems.  The 
leaves  are  wedge-shaped  toward  the  base,  and  become 
divided  above  the  middle  into  three  sharply  toothed 
lobes  with  the  central  division  much  larger  and  longer 
than  the  rest.  The  low^r  leaves  which  are  long  stemmed 
are  much  broader  and  are  deeply  cut  with  rounded, 
irregularly  toothed  lobes.  Numerous  little  wreaths 
of  tiny  pink,  purple,  or  white  flowers  are  set  around 
the  stalk  at  the  angle  of  each  pair  of  leaves  and  at 
close  intervals.  The  tubular  corolla  is  two-Hpped. 
The  erect  upper  hp,  which  encloses  the  stamens,  is 
slightly  arched  and  densely  covered  with  white,  woolly 
hairs  above.  The  spreading  and  mottled  lower  lip  is 
three-lobed,  with  the  middle     one  much  the  largest. 

84 


WILD  FLOWERS  pink 

The  tube  is  lined  with  an  oblique  ring  of  hairs.  Leo- 
nurus  is  Greek,  meaning  lion's  tail,  and  presumably 
alludes  to  the  brushy,  tail-like  branches.  Mother- 
wort may  be  found  from  June  to  September,  from 
Nova  Scotia  to  North  Carolina,  Minnesota  and 
Nebraska.     It  has  become  naturalized  from  Europe. 

WILD   BERQAMOT 

Monarda  fistulosa.     Mint  Family. 

This  species,  which  bears  several  floral  heads,  is 
quite  similar  to  the  Oswego  Tea.  The  flowers  are 
cream-coloured,  pink  or  purplish,  however,  and  the 
plant  is  found  on  dry  hillsides  and  in  thickets.  It  is 
a  slender-stemmed,  much-branched  perennial,  growing 
two  or  three  feet  high.  The  fragrant,  slender-stemmed, 
lance-shaped  leaves  are  toothed  and  veined,  and  are 
frequently  heart-shaped  at  the  base.  The  some- 
what flattened  flower  heads  are  surrounded  with  a  row 
of  whitish  or  purplish  leafy  bracts.  The  calyx  is 
densely  hairy  at  the  throat.  The  corolla  is  hairy, 
especially  on  the  upper  lip.  The  arrangement  of 
the  leaves  and  the  manner  of  this  plant's  growth 
is  practically  covered  in  the  general  description 
of  the  Oswego  Tea.  This  genera  was  dedicated 
to  Nicholas  Monardes,  a  Spanish  physician  and 
botanist,  who  published  a  book,  in  157 1,  con- 
taining the  earliest  pictures  of  an  American  plant. 
According  to  Thistleton  Dyer,  there  is  a  notion 
prevalent  in  Dorsetshire  that  a  house  wherein  the 
plant   Bergamot   is    kept  will    never    be    free    from 

85 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

sickness;  but  happily  it  refers  to  an  English  species, 
and  not  to  ours.  The  Wild  Bergamot  blossoms 
from  June  to  September,  and  is  found  from  Maine 
and  Ontario  south  to  the  Gulf  States,  and  west  to 
Minnesota  and  Colorado. 

SNAKE   HEAD.     TURTLE  HEAD.     COD   HEAD. 

SHELL=FLOWER.  BITTER-HERB 

BALMONY 

Chelhne  glabra.     Figwort   Family. 

This  dweller  of  wet  situations  takes  most  of  its 
common  names  from  the  fancied  resemblance  of 
its  flowers  to  the  various  subjects  which  it  seems 
to  have  suggested.  It  is  a  rather  common  and 
familiar  perennial  herb,  growing  from  one  to  three 
feet  high.  The  leaves  are  said  to  be  tonic,  and  to 
have  been  used  as  a  remedy  for  liver  complaints. 
The  leafy,  hollow  stem  is  sometimes  branched,  and 
is  erect,  smooth,  and  square,  with  two  opposite 
sides  grooved.  The  sharply  toothed,  lance-shaped 
leaves  taper  to  a  long  point,  and  are  narrowed  at 
the  base.  They  are  set  upon  the  stalk  in  alter- 
nating, opposite  pairs,  with  short  stems,  and  their 
surface  is  creased  with  recurved  veins.  The  large 
flowers  are  white,  usually  tinged  with  pink,  and  are 
closely  crowded  in  a  dense  terminal  cluster.  The 
irregular  corolla  is  broadly  tubular  and  two-lipped. 
The  broad,  arched  upper  lip  is  creased  and  notched  in 
the  middle.  The  lower  lip  is  three-lobed  at  the 
apex,  with  the  middle  lobe  smallest.     The  throat  is 

86 


WILD  FLOWERS  pink 

filled  with  woolly  hairs.  The  dark,  woolly  stamens 
scarcely  peek  from  beneath  the  upper  arch  of  the 
partly  gaping  lips.  The  five-parted  green  calyx  is 
surrounded  with  broader,  leafy  bracts.  The  Turtle- 
head  is  found  from  July  to  September,  and  ranges 
from  Newfoundland  to  Florida,  and  west  to  Mani- 
toba and  Kansas. 

SLENDER   QERARDIA 

Gerardia  tenuifolta.     Figwort  Family. 

During  September  large  patches  of  the  irregular 
bell-shaped  flowers  of  this  little  Gerardia  are  found 
in  the  grassy  growths  of  dry,  open  woods  and  thickets. 
It  is  a  smooth,  slender-stemmed  and  widely  branching 
annual,  growing  from  six  to  twenty-four  inches  high. 
The  spreading  branches  are  sparingly  leafed.  The 
alternating  leaves  are  long,  very  narrow,  and  almost 
needle-like,  with  sharp  points,  and  show  a  fine  midrib. 
The  green,  bell-shaped  calyx  has  very  short,  pointed 
teeth.  The  small,  tubular  flower  is  light  purple  or 
rarely  white,  and  is  marked  with  numerous  indis- 
tinct spots.  The  corolla  is  flattened,  and  two  of  the 
five  rounded  lobes  are  smaller  than  the  others,  and 
are  curved  inward  over  the  pistil  and  cream-coloured 
stamens.  The  inner  surface  of  the  two  smaller  lobes 
is  prettily  marked  with  purple  spots.  The  flowers 
are  set  on  short,  hair-like  stems,  which  spring  from 
the  axils  of  the  leaves  along  the  branches.  The  little 
pear-shaped  buds  look  like  drops  of  thick,  fresh 
paint,  and  are  very  decorative.    The  Slender  Gerardia 

87 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

ranges  commonly  from  Quebec  to  Georgia,  and  west 
to  Ontario,  Illinois,  and  Louisiana.  It  is  dedicated 
to  John  Gerarde,  the  famous  herbalist. 

TWIN=FLOWER.       GROUND    VINE 

Linnaea  borealis.     Honeysuckle  Family. 

A  very  dainty  and  delicate  little  trailing  vine,  that 
was  an  especial  favourite  of  Linnaeus,  and  which 
was  dedicated  to  him  with  his  sanction.  The  slender, 
slightly  hairy,  and  reddish  stalk  grows  from  six  inches 
to  two  feet  long.  The  small,  oval,  evergreen  leaves 
are  rather  thick,  and  their  surface  is  rough  and  finely 
creased  with  numerous  veinings.  They  are  indistinctly 
toothed,  and  are  set  alternately  along  the  stalk  on 
short  stems.  The  pretty,  small,  five-lobed,  long,  bell- 
shaped  flowers  are  about  half  an  inch  in  length  and 
grow  in  pairs.  They  blossom  at  the  same  time  and 
hang  downward,  nodding  gracefully  from  the  thread- 
like tips  of  a  fine,  upright  stem,  which  rises  several 
inches  and  forks  near  the  top  to  accommodate  them. 
They  are  strongly  tinted  with  purple,  becoming 
white  or  pinkish  at  the  tips  and  base.  The  hairy 
green  calyx  has  five  long,  narrow  points.  There 
are  four  stamens,  two  of  which  are  shorter,  and  are 
inserted  toward  the  base  of  the  Covella  tube.  Occa- 
sionally this  charming  little  vine  may  be  found 
flowering  again  late  in  the  fall.  The  exquisite 
fragrance  of  the  flowers  completes  the  charming 
qualities  with  which  this  darling  of  the  cool, 
mossy   woods    and    bogs   is    endowed.     It   is   found 


WILD  FLOWERS  pink 

from  June  to  August,  from  the  mountains  of  Mary- 
land to  Labrador,  and  west  through  the  northern 
border  states  and  Canada  to  California,  and 
Alaska.  It  is  also  found  in  northern  Europe  and 
Asia. 

JOE  PYE   WEED.     TRUMPET  WEED.     GRAVEL 

ROOT.   TALL,  OR  PURPLE  BONESET.    KIDNEY 

ROOT.     QUEEN  OF  THE  MEADOW 

Eupatorium  purpureum.     Thistle  Family. 

During  August  and  September,  the  tall,  swaying 
heads  of  Joe  Pye  are  conspicuous  in  low,  wet  meadows, 
and  along  open  streams  and  swamps  where  it  grows 
rankly  and  vigorously.  It  was  named  from  Joe 
Pye,  an  Indian  doctor,  who  gained  some  notoriety 
travelling  through  New  England,  and  who  applied 
this  plant  in  treating  cases  of  typhus  fever.  The 
large,  stout,  leafy  stalk  grows  from  three  to  ten  feet 
high,  and  branches  at  the  summit.  It  is  usually 
stained  with  purple.  The  large,  thin,  oval  or  broad, 
lance-shaped  leaves  are  arranged  in  curving  whorls 
of  from  three  to  six.  They  are  short-stemmed,  long- 
pointed,  rounded-toothed,  firmly  ribbed  and  veined, 
and  rough-surfaced.  The  flowers  are  of  a  peculiar 
shade  of  dull  pink  or  purple.  They  have  a  matted, 
fuzzy  appearance,  and  are  arranged  in  numerous 
small  groups  that  form  large,  dense,  and  somewhat 
flat-topped,  or  elongated  terminal  clusters.  The  small, 
tubular  florets  have  long,  projecting,  hairy  pistils, 
and  the  cup  in  which  they  are  set  is  of  the  same  colour 

89 


PINK  WILD  FLOWERS 

as  the  faintly   fragrant   flowers.     Joe   Pye   is    found 
from  Canada  to  Florida  and  Texas. 

BURDOCK.  COCKLE  BUR.  BEGGAR'S  BUTTON. 
CUCKOO  BUTTON 

/Arctium  triinus.     Thistle  Family. 

Children  delight  to  gather  the  shaggy  green  burs 
of  the  Beggar's  Button  and  form  them  into  birds' 
nests,  baskets,  dolls,  and  a  various  assortment  of 
similar  playthings.  They  well  know,  too,  the  bitter 
taste  they  leave  on  the  fingers.  The  Burdock  is  a 
large,  coarse,  bushy,  branching  biennial,  growing 
from  two  to  four  feet  high.  The  large,  rough  stalk  is 
very  leafy,  and  is  round  and  grooved.  The  tooth- 
less, hollow-stemmed  leaves  are  large,  broad,  and 
alternating.  They  are  pointed-oval  in  shape,  more 
or  less  wavy,  and  rather  thin  and  veiny.  The  lower 
ones  are  heart-shaped.  The  small  flower  head  is 
composed  of  numerous  silky,  tubular  florets  of  vary- 
ing shades  of  purple,  gathered  into  soft  tufts  and  set 
in  a  rather  large,  conical  green  bur,  which  is  thickly 
covered  with  many  sharp,  spreading,  long-hooked, 
and  sticky  bristles.  They  are  set  on  short  stems  in 
irregular  terminal,  bunchy  clusters.  The  root  and  fresh 
leaves  are  employed  as  a  remedy  in  blood  and  skin 
disorders,  and  also  for  swellings  and  rheumatism. 
In  Japan  the  root  is  known  as  Gobo,  and  is  a  popular 
vegetable  in  the  country.  Burdock  is  a  familiar 
plant  commonly  found  around  neglected  buildings, 
and   along   fence   rows,   roadways,   and    in    pastures 

90 


WILD  FLOWERS  pink 

throughout   our   area,   flowering   in   its   second   year, 
from  July  to  November. 

We  have  also  a  much  taller  species,  A.  Lappa, 
growing  from  four  to  ten  feet  in  height.  It  is  not  so 
common,  and  its  range  is  more  restricted.  The  leaf 
stems  are  deeply  grooved  and  not  hollow. 


And  buttercups  are  coming, 

And  scarlet  columbine. 
And  in  the  sunny  meadows 

The  dandelions  shine. 

And  just  as  many  daisies 

As  their  soft  hands  can  hold 
The  little  ones  may  gather, 

All  fair  in  white  and  gold. 

Here  blows  the  warm  red  clover, 

There  peeps  the  violet  blue; 
Oh  happy  little  children! 

God  made  them  all  for  you. 

Celia  Thaxter. 


91 


standard 
or  Banner 


StrapShaped 
\    Florets 


HAREBELL 
(fie//  Shaped) 


BUTTERFLY  SHAPE       Dig^ 

Ray  Flower 


ROTATE 
(whee/  shaped) 


JcM}      Clustered 
frC-W-  ■^^' F I  o  w  e  ra 


STRAMONIU-M 
n^unnel  ■Shaped') 
\or  Tubular"     J 


FLOWER  FORMS 


Section  III 
YELLOW  AND   ORANGE   FLOWERS 


93 


GOLDEN  CLUB 

Orontium  aqudticum.     Arum  Family. 

THE  Golden  Club  is  common  in  shallow  water 
in  ponds  and  swamps,  mostly  near  the  coast, 
during  April  and  May.  It  is  closely  allied  to  the 
Skunk  Cabbage  and  Jack-in-the-Pulpit,  but  resem- 
bles neither.  The  long-stemmed  leaves  and  flower 
stalks  manage  to  keep  just  above  the  water,  and  are 
often  reclining  upon  its  surface,  according  to  its  depth. 
The  thick,  juicy,  smooth-surfaced,  long,  pointed- 
oblong  leaves,  are  deep,  dull  green  above,  and  pale 
beneath.  They  are  sometimes  a  foot  in  length,  and 
are  narrowed,  or  frequently  partly  furled  at  the  base 
The  parallel  ribs  are  equally  apparent.  The  numer- 
ous tiny,  flat,  bright  yellow  flowers  are  from  four  to 
six  parted  and  are  deeply  and  closely  set  upon  a 
thick,  pointed  club,  which  terminates  the  flattened 
tip  of  the  long,  floral  stalk.  This  aquatic  plant  is 
found  from  New  England  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 
The  generic  name  is  said  to  be  that  of  some  plant  from 
the  Orontes  River,  in  Syria. 

SWEET  FLAG.         CALAMUS 

'Acorus  Calamus.     Arum  Family. 

An  exceedingly  common  rush-like  herb,  with  very 
long,  horizontal,  branched  rootstocks,  and  rather  stiff, 
sword-shaped,   light  green   leaves,   growing   in   thick 

95 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

patches  along  streams  and  in  swamps,  and  flowering 
from  May  to  July.  The  flower  stem  resembles  the 
leaves,  but  is  larger,  and  from  one  side,  near  the 
middle,  it  sends  out  a  thick,  fleshy,  tapering  spike, 
which  is  densely  crowded  with  minute,  greenish 
yellow  florets.  This  spike  is  tender  and  edible  when 
about  half  developed.  The  root  which  has  a  strong, 
aromatic  fragrance,  is  used  by  country  people  when 
dried  or  candied,  as  a  remedy  for  dyspepsia,  and  as  a 
stimulant  and  tonic  for  feeble  digestion.  Calamus 
appears  to  have  been  known  to  the  ancient  Babylonians, 
and  also  by  the  Greeks.  It  is  used  in  India  to  some 
extent,  and  the  powdered  root  is  an  esteemed  insecticide 
in  Ceylon  and  India.  It  also  produces  a  volatile  oil 
that  is  largely  used  in  perfumery.  Calamus  can 
always  be  identified  by  the  fragrance  emitted  by  the 
roots,  and  for  edible  purposes  similar  roots  should 
be  avoided.  The  interior  of  the  stalk  is  sweet.  It 
ranges  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Ontario  and  Minnesota, 
south  to  Kansas  and  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  Also  in 
Europe  and  Asia.  This  species  grows  from  two 
to  six  feet  high. 

PERFOLIATE  BELLWORT.  STRAW  BELL 

Uvularia  perfoltata.     Lily  Family, 

The  inconspicuous,  straw-coloured,  bell-shaped 
flowers  of  the  graceful  Bellwort,  blossom  during  May 
and  June  in  rich,  moist  woods  and  thickets.  The 
slender,  pale  green  stalk  grows  from  six  to  twenty 
inches  high,  from  a  perennial  rootstock,  and  is  smooth 

96 


RED,  or  MEADOW  CLOVER.     Tnfolium  pratense 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

and  round.  It  is  forked  above  the  middle,  and  usually 
produces  from  one  to  three  leaves  below  the  fork. 
The  thin,  alternating,  pointed  oblong  leaf  entirely 
surrounds  the  stalk  near  the  rounded  base,  and  looks 
as  if  the  stalk  grew  through  it,  rather  than  otherwise. 
This  peculiarity  is  an  easy  means  of  identification. 
They  are  toned  a  full  green,  and  are  toothless,  w^ith  an 
entire  margin,  and  have  a  creased  midrib.  The  rather 
large,  fragrant,  solitary,  pale  yellow  flower  hangs, 
like  a  pendant,  from  the  ends  of  the  drooping  branches, 
on  short  stems,  and  is  often  partly  hidden  beneath  the 
overhanging,  terminal  leaves.  It  is  composed  of  six 
narrow,  petal-like  segments  or  sepals,  which  are 
rough  on  the  inside,  and  have  spreading  tips.  There 
are  six  stamens  and  a  pistil.  The  generic  name  is 
derived  from  the  Latin,  Uvula,  a  palate,  and  alludes 
to  the  hanging  flowers.  The  Straw  Bell  is  found  from 
Quebec  and  Ontario  to  Florida  and  Mississippi. 

SESSILE=LEAVED  BELLWORT.     WILD  OAT 

Oakesia  sessilifolia.     Lily  Family. 

A  pretty  and  somewhat  more  common  species  than 
the  foregoing,  flowering  at  the  same  time,  and  having 
its  stemless,  pale  green,  rough-edged,  long  pointed- 
oval  leaves  set  in  pairs  upon  the  angular  stalk,  and  not 
pierced  by  it.  It  reaches  the  height  of  about  twelve 
inches,  and  bears  one  or  two  leaves  below  the  fork. 
The  six  petal-like  segments  of  the  smaller  drooping 
flowers  are  less  pointed  and  curved.  They  are  greenish 
yellow  or  cream-coloured,  and  a  sharply    three-angled 

97 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD   FLOWERS 

seed  pod  succeeds  them.  One  or  two  flowers  hang 
from  the  end  of  the  branches  at  first,  but  as  the  latter 
continues  to  lengthen,  they  may  be  found  later  on, 
appearing  opposite  the  leaves.  This  Bellwort  is 
found  in  woods  and  thickets  from  New  Brunswick  and 
Ontario  to  Minnesota,  and  south  to  Florida  and 
Arkansas.  Dedicated  to  William  Oakes,  a  New  Eng- 
land botanist,  who  died  in  1848. 

TURK'S  CAP  LILY 

Lilium  superbum.     Lily  Family. 

The  Turk's  Cap  is  one  of  the  loveliest  and  most 
graceful  of  our  handsomest  native  wild  flowers.  It 
is  sometimes  confused  with  the  Meadow  Lily,  but  is  a 
later-blooming,  and  much  taller-growing  species,  with 
the  parts  of  its  widely  spreading  bells  rolled  backward 
until  their  tips  often  lap  over  the  base  of  the  flower. 
Its  flowers  are  usually  more  richly  coloured,  and  they 
blossom  more  profusely.  The  tall,  and  very  leafy 
stalk  grows  from  three  to  eight  feet  high  from  a  round 
bulb,  which  is  borne  on  a  short  rootstock  composed  of 
thick,  white,  egg-shaped  scales.  The  numerous  long, 
lance-shaped  stemless  and  toothless  leaves  taper  toward 
either  end,  and  are  three-ribbed  and  smooth  on  both 
sides.  Usually  those  on  the  lower  part  of  the  stalk 
are  arranged  in  whorls  of  from  three  to  eight,  while  the 
upper  ones  are  close  and  alternating.  From  one  to 
forty  large,  beautiful  coloured  flowers,  varying  from 
orange  to  orange-yellow,  or  rarely  red,  are  borne  on 
long,  slender,  spreading  terminal  stems,  from  which  they 

98 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

hang  and  nod  with  an  enticing  gesture.  The  stems 
usually  carry  a  small  green  leaflet.  The  six  long, 
tapering  lance-shaped  petal  parts  when  deep  orange, 
are  variegated  with  light  yellow,  especially  on  the 
inner  side,  which  has  a  dash  of  white  with  a  light 
green  centre  at  the  base.  The  inside  is  also  spotted 
with  dark  purple,  the  spots,  as  a  rule,  occurring  on  the 
yellow  colouring,  and  on  either  side  of  the  green  mark 
within.  The  six,  long,  light  green  stamens  are  capped 
with  large,  rich  brown  anthers,  and  are  spread  con- 
spicuously around  the  large,  club-shaped  pistil.  They 
all  project  bewitchingly  beyond  the  bell  of  the  flower, 
and  add  greatly  to  the  charm  and  attractiveness  of 
this  variable  Lily.  It  blossoms  from  July  to  August 
in  moist  meadows  and  marshes,  from  Maine  to  Ontario 
and  Minnesota,  south  to  North  Carolina  and  Ten- 
nessee. It  is  a  less  common  species  than  the  Meadow 
Lily,  and  more  majestic  and  decorative  in  its  habit. 
It  slightly  resembles  the  magnificent  Tiger  Lily  of 
China  and  Japan,  which  sometimes  escapes  from  New 
England  gardens. 

MEADOW  LILY.      FIELD,  WILD  OR  YELLOW  LILY 

Ltlium  canadense.     Lily  Family. 

The  large  handsome  bells  of  the  popular  Meadow 
Lily  fairly  tinkle  with  the  joyous  outdoor  spirit  which 
ever  glorifies  the  month  of  June.  The  smooth,  slender, 
or  stout,  leafy  stalk  grows  from  one  to  five  feet  tall, 
from  a  bulby  rootstock  composed  of  numerous  narrow, 
fleshy,  white    scales.      The  stemless  and    toothless, 

99 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

oblong  or  lance-shaped  leaves  are  usually  gathered 
in  whorls  of  from  four  to  ten,  which  are  distributed 
at  regular  intervals  on  the  stalk.  The  uppermost 
leaves  are  often  alternating.  The  margins,  as  well  as 
the  veining  on  the  under  side,  are  finely  roughened^ 
and  they  are  strongly  three-ribbed.  From  one  to 
sixteen  showy  flowers  spring  fountain-like  from  the 
summit  of  the  stalk,  on  long,  slender  stems,  and 
droop  and  nod  in  every  direction  from  the  sharply 
curved  ends.  They  are  decidedly  bell-like,  and 
their  six  spreading,  pointed,  petal-like  parts  are  yel- 
low or  orange  coloured,  and  usually  deeper  toned,  and 
thickly  spotted  within  with  dark,  reddish  brown. 
The  large,  rich-brown  capped,  light  green  stamens 
are  six  in  number,  and  the  club-shaped  pistil  has  three 
lobes.  At  times  some  of  our  swamps,  meadows,  and  low 
fields  are  extensively  decorated  with  the  lovely  flowers 
of  this  gorgeous  Lily  which  hang  their  graceful  heads 
well  above  the  surrounding  vegetation.  This  species  is 
found  in  blossom  during  June  and  July,  and  ranges 
from  Nova  Scotia  to  Ontario  and  Minnesota,  south 
to  Georgia,  Alabama,  and  Missouri.  The  Indians 
made  use  of  the  bulbs    for  thickening  meat    soups. 

YELLOW  ADDER'S  TONGUE.         TROUT  LILY 
DOG'S    TOOTH     VIOLET.        FAWN   LILY 

Erythronium  americanum.     Lily  Family. 

Where  the  brook  wanders  through  a  partially 
shaded,  open  and  moist  bit  of  woodland  or  thicket, 
there,  in  the  springtime,  you  will  find  its  bank  and  the 

lOQ 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

immediate  vicinity  literally  carpeted  with  the  peculiarly 
mottled  leaves  of  this  beautiful  Lily.  Here  and  there 
the  solitary,  bright  yellow,  bell-shaped  Lily-like  flowers 
hang  downward,  pipe-like  and  nodding  from  long, 
slender,  upright  stems.  They  have  a  slight,  delicate 
fragrance,  and  the  half-dozen  rich,  brown-capped, 
yellow  stamens  stand  out  gracefully  from  an  equal 
number  of  recurved  petal-like  sepals,  in  striking  con- 
trast and  pleasing  harmony.  Inside,  near  the  base, 
the  divisions  are  sharply  spotted  with  rich  chocolate, 
and  on  the  outside,  they  are  usually  faintly  tinged  with 
purple.  The  club-shaped  pistil  of  the  rather  large  per- 
fect flower  has  its  tips  or  stigmas  united.  The  flowers 
close  at  night,  and  remain  partly  so  on  dull  or  rainy 
days.  They  always  face  toward  the  sun,  and  the  outer 
divisions  recurve  to  their  fullest  extent  on  brightest 
and  warmest  days.  Everybody  loves  the  Dog's 
Tooth  Violet.  Everybody  knows  it  by  this  misleading 
name.  Maybe  the  "Dog's  Tooth"  part  originated 
from  the  shape  of  the  flower  parts,  having  something 
of  the  outline  of  the  long,  pointed,  canine  teeth  of  a 
dog.  But  it  is  not  a  Violet  at  all.  It  is  a  Lily.  The 
shape  and  hang  of  the  flowers  indicate  this.  If  you 
still  doubt  it,  dig  up  the  plant  carefully,  roots  and  all, 
and  you  will  find  ample  proof  in  a  deeply  seated,  plump, 
smooth,  solid,  egg-shaped  corm,  or  bulb  at  the  base 
of  the  stalk.  The  bulb  is  edible,  and  when  roasted 
was  greatly  relished  as  a  tit-bit  by  the  Indians.  The 
bulb  and  leaves  are  also  used  as  a  medicine  for  pro- 
ducing nausea.     This  bulb  rests  in  the  ground,  some 

lOI 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

six  or  eight  inches  below  the  surface.  The  plant 
is  complete  with  two,  flat,  fleshy,  long,  pointed  oval, 
pale  green  leaves  of  unequal  length.  They  are  smooth 
and  shiny,  and  are  generally  marbled  with  dull  reddish 
or  purplish  markings.  At  first,  one  might  think  that 
the  stained  effect  was  produced  by  frost.  This  mot- 
tled effect  of  the  leaves  suggests  the  appearance  of  a 
snake's  skin,  and  the  pipe-like  flower  extending 
therefrom,  is  supposed  to  justify  the  name  of  Yellow 
Adder's  Tongue.  In  some  localities,  where  the  earliest 
trout  fishing  is  eagerly  sought,  this  delightful  spring 
beauty  is  popularly  known  as  the  Trout  Lily,  and  its 
speckled  leaves  and  blossoms  are  heralded  as  a  signal 
that  another  speckled  beauty,  the  brook  trout,  has 
appeared.  The  erect,  ear-like  appearance  of  the  two 
leaves,  together  with  their  peculiar  markings,  caused 
John  Burroughs  to  christen  this  plant  the  Fawn  Lily. 
The  flowers  and  leaves  begin  to  wilt  almost  as  soon 
as  they  are  picked.  The  former  revive  nicely  when 
placed  in  water,  but  the  leaves  are  slower  in  recovering 
the  shock.  Soon  after  the  flowering  season,  the  leaves 
begin  to  fade,  and  by  July  scarcely  a  trace  of  them  is 
to  be  seen.  This  species  is  found  scattered  in  groups 
and  colonies  in  abundance  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Ontario 
and  Minnesota,  south  to  Florida,  Missouri  and  Arkan- 
sas, during  March,  April,  and  May.  Somewhat  far- 
ther west  it  is  replaced  by  a  similar  species  with  nar- 
rower and  less  mottled  leaves,  and  white  or  pinkish- 
white  flowers,  that  are  not  commonly  found  eastward. 
The  pistil  has  three  short,  spreading  tips,  or  stigmas. 

I02 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

It  is  known  as  the  White  Adder's  Tongue,  E.  albidum. 
This  species  multiplies  by  underground  offshoots 
from  the  base  of  the  corm. 

YELLOW  CLINTONIA 

Clintbnta  horealis.     Lily  Family. 

A  handsome  Lily  of  the  Valley  plant,  growing  espe- 
cially common  in  our  more  northern  woods,  where  it 
seeks  the  cool  moisture  of  the  shady  evergreens.  It 
was  dedicated  to  DeWitt  Clinton,  a  former  governor 
of  New  York  State.  The  slender,  nearly  smooth, 
and  naked  flowering  stalk  rises  from  six  to  fifteen 
inches  high,  and  bears  from  three  to  six  drooping, 
greenish  yellow,  or  straw-coloured,  bell-shaped  blos- 
soms, which  are  arranged  in  a  loose,  terminal  cluster 
on  slender,  nodding  stems.  They  are  formed  of  six 
spreading  sepals,  with  six  stamens  and  a  pistil.  The 
two  to  five,  usually  three,  large,  thin,  glossy  dark 
green  leaves  are  pointed-oval  or  oblong  in  shape,  and 
are  narrowed  into  a  sheathing  base.  This  plant  is 
probably  more  familiar  to  vacationists  in  the  late 
summer,  when  the  erect,  dark  blue,  globular  berries 
are  very  conspicuous.  It  blossoms  during  May  and 
June,  and  is  found  from  Newfoundland  and  Ontario 
to  North  Carolina  and  Minnesota. 

INDIAN  CUCUMBER  ROOT 

Medeola  virginiana.     Lily  Family. 

The  dark  purple  berries  of  this  common  woodland 
plant  are  far  more  noticeable  during  August  than 
are  the  singular,  nodding  yellow  flowers  that  precede 

103 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

them.  The  long,  horizontal,  club-shaped  rootstock 
which  is  white,  crisp  and  juicy,  and  tastes  not  unlike 
cucumbers,  is  said  to  have  been  relished  by  the  Indians. 
It  has  also  been  used  as  a  remedy  for  torpid  livers. 
The  slender,  unbranched  stalk  is  slightly  adorned  with 
a  cottony  fuzz,  and  grows  from  one  to  two  and  a  half 
feet  in  height,  in  moist  woods  and  thickets.  It  bears 
usually  two  whorls  of  leaves.  The  larger  whorl  con- 
sists of  from  five  to  nine  thin,  stemless,  oblong,  taper- 
pointed,  toothless  and  three-ribbed  leaves,  and  occurs 
half-way  up  the  stalk.  The  other  whorl  is  borne  at  the 
top,  directly  under  the  flowers,  and  the  smaller  leaves, 
numbering  from  two  to  five,  are  frequently  short- 
stemmed.  Plants  which  bear  no  flowers  have  only  one 
whorl  of  leaves,  and  that  terminates  the  stalk.  From  two 
to  nine  inconspicuous,  spidery  flowers  are  set  on  slender 
curving  stems  that  spring  from  the  centre  of  the  upper 
leaves,  and  hang  usually  below  them.  They  have  six 
spreading  recurved  petal-like  parts,  six  brown-tipped 
stamens,  and  a  pistil  with  three  very  long  and  curving 
stigmas.  The  species  ranges  from  Nova  Scotia  to  On- 
tario and  Minnesota,  south  to  Florida  and  Tennessee. 

CARRION  FLOWER 

Sniilax  herbacea.     Smilax  Family. 

The  Carrion  Flower  emits  a  remarkably  putrid  odour, 
so  offensive  and  disagreeable  that  Thoreau  says:  "It 
smells  exactly  like  a  dead  rat  in  the  wall."  Happily, 
however,  this  objectionable  feature  lasts  only  through  the 
flowering  season,  and  then  the  ornamental  features  of 

104 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

this  rather  handsome  vine  should  be  appreciated. 
Especially  in  the  fall  is  it  attractive,  when  the  dark 
fruit  clusters  contrast  so  beautifully  w^ith  its  variegated 
leaves.  The  tough,  round,  smooth,  green  stalk  is 
frequently  angled  and  much-branched.  It  is  thorn- 
less,  and  climbs  gracefully  in  and  out,  and  over  and 
under  surrounding  vegetation,  supporting  itself  en  route 
by  means  of  numerous  small  and  twining  tendrils, 
which  spring  from  the  base  of  the  leaves.  The  large, 
smooth,  sharply  pointed,  bright  green  leaves  are  egg- 
shaped,  heart-shaped,  or  blunt  at  the  base.  They 
are  tough,  thin-textured,  frequently  downy  beneath, 
strongly  ribbed  and  toothless.  The  arrangement  is 
close  and  alternating,  and  they  are  set  on  short  or  long 
stems.  From  fifteen  to  eighty  small,  rankly  scented, 
yellowish  green,  six-parted  flowers  are  gathered  into 
a  half-round  floral  cluster,  which  is  borne  on  a  long, 
slender  stem  growing  from  the  axils  of  the  leaves. 
In  the  fall  the  flowers  are  succeeded  by  a  cluster  of 
bluish  black  berries.  The  flowers  are  both  staminate 
and  pistilate,  and  occur  on  separate  plants.  The 
Carrion  Flower  is  common  along  river  bank^s  and 
moist  thickets,  where  it  blossoms  from  April  to  June, 
from  New  Brunswick  to  Manitoba  and  the  Dakotas, 
south  to  the  Gulf  States  and  Nebraska. 

YELLOW  STAR  GRASS 

Hypoxis  hirsuta.     Iris  Family. 

From  May  to  October  our  grassy  fields  and  dry, 
open  woods  are  frequently  spangled  with   the  little 

105 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD   FLOWERS 

yellow  starry  blossoms  of  this  species.  The  flower 
stalks  and  slender,  grass-like  leaves,  rise  from  a 
fibrous  rooted,  egg-shaped  corm.  They  are  more  or 
less  hairy,  and  grow  from  two  to  six  inches  in  height. 
The  leaves  are  distinctly  grooved,  with  a  noticeable 
rib,  and  are  much  longer  than  the  flower  stalk.  The 
six-parted,  petal-like  parts  of  the  flowers  are  bright 
yellow  and  waxy  within,  and  three  of  them,  at  least, 
are  greenish  and  hairy  without.  They  spread  widely, 
and  show  their  yellow  stamens.  Several  buds  form 
a  loose,  terminal  cluster,  and  open  one  or  two  at  a  time. 
The  Yellow  Star  Grass  is  found  from  Maine  and 
Ontario  to  Assiniboia,  Florida  and  Texas. 

SMALL   YELLOW  LADY'S  SLIPPER 

CypriphJium  parviflorum.     Orchid  Family. 

Cinderella's  wonderful  glass  slipper  never  pos- 
sessed the  charm  and  comfort  suggested  by  the  dainty 
golden  mocassins  of  this  exquisite  Orchid.  It  is 
a  lively,  smaller-flowered  beauty,  resembling  the 
following  species  in  many  respects,  and  is  frequently 
hopelessly  confused  with  it.  The  lip,  or  pouch, 
however,  is  bright  yellow,  and  more  or  less  marked 
with  purple  stripes,  spots  or  blotches.  Its  flower  is 
delightfully  fragrant,  and  its  petals  are  longer  and 
more  twisted.  It  is  also  less  common,  and  its  range 
is  more  extensive  than  that  of  its  larger  sister.  The 
slender,  leafy  stem  grows  one  to  two  feet  high,  and 
the  pointed  oval  or  lance-shaped  leaves  alternate 
upon  it.     The  curious,  triangular,  lid-like  anther  is 

1 06 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

yellow,  and  is  purple-spotted  like  the  pouch.  The 
narrow,  curling  sepals  and  petals  are  sometimes  purple 
or  claret-coloured.  This  species  is  found  in  bogs  and 
moist,  hilly  woodlands  from  ocean  to  ocean,  and  from 
Canada  south  along  the  mountains  to  Washington, 
Missouri  and  Georgia.  It  possesses  the  same  poisonous 
properties  as  the  larger  species.  The  roots  have  a  dis- 
tinct and  heavy  odour  like  Valerian,  and  are  used  as  a 
general  stimulant  for  nerves  and  in  neuraliga. 

LARGE   YELLOW   LADY'S  SLIPPER 

Cypripedium  pubescens.     Orchid  Family. 

This  large,  striking,  purple-striped,  yellow-flowered 
Orchid  is  an  early  bloomer,  and  is  found  immediately 
after  its  lovely  pink  sister,  the  Moccasin  Flower.  It  is  not 
at  all  uncommon,  yet  enough  so  to  warrant  our  elation 
whenever  we  happen  to  run  across  it.  This  handsome 
plant  is  covered  with  fine  hairs,  and  its  leafy  stalk 
rises  from  one  to  two  feet  in  height.  The  alternating 
oval,  pointed  leaves  are  parallel  ribbed,  and  clasp 
the  stalk.  The  large,  showy,  pale  yellow  lip,  or  pouch, 
is  streaked  with  purple  lines,  and  near  the  top  it 
encloses  a  tuft  of  white,  jointed  hairs.  The  broad, 
pointed  sepals  and  very  long,  narrow,  twisted  and 
curling  side  petals,  are  greenish  yellow,  streaked  with 
brownish  purple.  The  usually  solitary  and  scent- 
less flower  swings  from  the  top  of  the  stalk  with  an 
outward  gesture,  and  is  found  in  bogs  and  moist  hilly 
woods  and  thickets,  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Ontario  and 
Minnesota,   south  to  Nebraska,   Colorado,   Arkansas 

107 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD   FLOWERS 

and  Alabama,  from  May  to  July.  The  roots  are  used 
as  a  nerve  tonic,  and  the  odour  is  rather  heavy  and 
disagreeable.  The  hairs  on  this  species  yield  an  oil 
that  is  poisonous. 

TUBERCLED   ORCHIS.      SMALL   PALE   GREEN 
ORCHIS 

Hahenarta  flava.     Orchid  Family. 

This  common,  tiny-flowered  and  leafy-stemmed 
Orchid  is  usually  found  growing  in  the  same  bog 
with  the  Ragged  Orchis  and  blooming  during  June  and 
July.  The  rather  stout  stalk  grows  one  or  two  feet 
high,  and  bears  several  large,  alternating,  elliptic,  or 
lance-shaped  leaves.  The  greenish  yellow  flowers  are 
inconspicuous  and  numerous,  and  form  a  slender, 
clustered  terminal  spike  that  bristles  with  many  sharp 
green  bracts.  The  petals  and  sepals  are  somewhat 
similar  in  shape.  The  former  are  greenish,  and  the 
latter  greenish  yellow  in  colour.  The  fringeless, 
spurred  lip  is  a  trifle  longer  than  the  other  petals. 
It  is  broad,  with  rounded  edges,  and  has  a  slight  notch 
at  the  apex,  while  at  the  middle  of  its  base  appears 
a  single  tubercle,  or  palate.  This  unattractive  Orchid 
is  found  in  swamps  and  wet  places,  from  Florida, 
Louisiana  and  Missouri,  to  Minnesota  and  Ontario. 

YELLOW   FRINGED   ORCHIS 

Hahenarta  ciliarts.     Orchid  Family. 

One  of  the  tallest,  stoutest,  and  most  frequently 
found  of  our  most  attractive  Orchids,  blooming  dur- 
ing July  and  August,  in  wet  meadows  and  along  the 

io8 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

borders  of  moist,  open  woods.  The  beautiful  orange 
yellow  flowers  are  closely  clustered  in  a  large,  rounded, 
oblong,  terminal  spike,  and  are  exceedingly  handsome 
and  very  attractive  as  the  tall,  slender,  leafy  stalk 
sways  its  brilliant,  fringy  torch  in  the  long  grasses 
of  late  summer.  It  grows  from  twelve  to  thirty  inches 
high,  and  its  long,  pointed,  lance-shaped  leaves  pass 
suddenly  into  pointed,  bract-like  leaflets,  as  they 
approach  the  blossoms.  The  rather  large,  showy 
flowers  have  bluntly  pointed,  broad  oval  or  almost 
circular  sepals,  two  of  which  are  ear-like  and  spread- 
ing, while  the  upper  one  extends  forward,  and  is  hood- 
like. The  petals  are  much  smaller,  and  generally 
toothed.  The  long,  drooping,  oblong  lip  is  deeply 
cut  into  a  fine  fringe,  and  is  prolonged  into  a  very 
long,  slender,  curving  spur.  The  buds  resemble  the 
golden  balls  of  a  miniature,  drum-major's  baton. 
This  magnificent  Orchid  is  one  of  the  most  interesting 
of  our  early  autumn  wild  flowers,  and  it  fairly  quickens 
the  pulse  to  come  suddenly  upon  it  for  the  first  time 
during  the  season.  Personally,  I  always  feel  the  same 
tingling  sensation  as  that  which  I  have  experienced 
when  finding  for  the  first  time,  the  nests  of  our  rarest 
birds  in  remote  recesses.  The  Greek  name  Hahenaria 
signifies  Rein  Orchis.  This  group  is  characterized  by 
its  lofty  stems  and  its  plumy  wands  of  many  flowers. 
It  contains  about  four  hundred  species  which  are 
distributed  throughout  the  world  and  of  which  about 
forty  are  found  in  North  America.  It  also  contains 
some  of  the  larger  plants  of  our  native  Orchids.    The 

109 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

principal  character  of  the  blossom  is  the  very  long, 
slender  spur  which  hangs  from  under  the  drooping 
spreading  lip,  and  the  usual  variously  cut  and  fringed 
design  of  the  latter.  The  Yellow  Fringed  Orchis  ranges 
from  New  England  to  Ontario  and  Michigan,  and 
south  to  the  Gulf  States. 

RAGGED   ORCHIS 

Hahenaria  lacera.     Orchid  Family. 

The  greenish  yellow  flowers  of  the  Ragged  Orchis 
are  "all  tattered  and  torn,"  like  the  man  in  the  nur- 
sery rhyme 

"  That  kissed  the  maiden  all  forlorn, 
That  milked  the  cow  with  the  crumpled  horn." 

It  is  a  common  and  inconspicuous  Orchid,  differing 
distinctly  from  all  others  by  its  remarkable  fringed 
lip,  which  is  so  fantastically  slit  and  slashed  that  it 
is  comparatively  difficult  to  describe.  The  rather 
slender,  round,  smooth  stalk  grows  one  or  two  feet 
high,  and  bears  several  firm,  alternating,  lance-shaped, 
yellow-green  leaves,  which  become  very  much  smaller 
and  bract-like  as  they  approach  the  top.  The  numer- 
ous flowers  are  gathered  into  a  loose,  terminal,  misty 
green  or  feathery  spike.  The  sepals  are  pointed  oval, 
and  the  upper  one  is  a  little  the  broadest.  The  petals 
are  oblong,  and  the  long  lip  is  divided  into  three 
spreading  parts,  each  of  which  is  hopelessly  cut  into 
an  irregular  thread-like  fringe.  The  curving  spur 
is  very  long  and  slender.  The  Ragged  Orchis  blos- 
soms during  June  and  July,  in  bogs,  swamps,  and  wet 

no 


WILD  FLOWERS^  yellow  and  orange 

woods,  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Minnesota,  and  south  to 
Georgia,  Alabama,  and  Missouri. 

FIELD,    OR    SHEEP    SORREL.     SOUR  GRASS 

Rumex  Acetosella.  Buckwheat  Family. 
In  the  springtime  the  children  delight  to  chew  the 
acid  foliage  of  this  familiar  and  so-called  Sour  Grass. 
My  mouth  actually  waters  now,  as  I  recall  the  sen- 
sation produced  by  the  tartness  of  these  green  leaves, 
which  I,  too,  used  to  nibble.  The  young  leaves  make 
a  palatable  salad  and  pot  green.  It  grows  in  dry 
fields  and  on  hillsides  throughout  the  entire  length 
and  breadth  of  the  land,  and  is  found  from  May  to 
September.  Several  slender,  leafy,  branching  stems 
rise  from  a  tuft  of  leaves.  The  rootstock  is  woody  and 
creeping.  The  smooth,  thick,  juicy,  long  arrow-shaped 
leaves  have  two  pointed  lobes  flaring  from  the  base. 
Their  margins  are  toothless,  and  they  are  set  on  long, 
grooved  stems.  The  very  tiny,  six-parted,  bright 
greenish  yellow  flowers  soon  turn  to  reddish  or  dull 
crimson,  and  are  gathered  in  long,  slim,  curving, 
feathery  spikes  which  terminate  the  slender  branches. 
Sour  Grass  is  exceeding  common,  and  is  found  in  all 
sorts  of  locations,  most  everywhere. 

LARGE  YELLOW  POND  LILY.     COW  LILY. 
SPATTER=DOCK 

Nymphaea  ddvena.     Water  Lily  Family. 

The  Yellow  Pond  Lily  grows  rankest  in  shallow 

water  along  the  margins  of  slow-moving  streams  and 

stagnant   ponds,    where   great   patches   of   the   large 

III 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD   FLOWERS 

coarse,  bright  green  leaves  grow  above  the  surface 
of  the  water  so  thickly  that  it  is  almost  impossible, 
sometimes,  to  push  a  canoe  or  rowboat  through  them. 
Muddy  bottoms  and  sunny  exposures  cause  them  to 
grow  in  greatest  profusion,  from  April  to  September. 
The  flower  is  stiff  and  waxy,  and  has  the  appearance 
of  being  a  stunted  blossom,  which  had  become  deformed 
before  it  had  a  chance  to  mature.  Many  a  stranger 
from  the  city  has  scoffed  the  idea  of  wet  feet  in  order 
to  secure  one  of  these  golden  cups,  only  to  cast  it  aside 
with  a  keen  sense  of  disgust  and  disappointment. 
The  Spatter-dock  encroaches  persistently  on  arti- 
ficial ponds,  which  have  been  made  by  constructing 
dams  across  small  streams,  causing  the  water  to  back 
up  and  flood  the  shallow  land  adjacent  thereto,  for  the 
purpose  of  harvesting  ice  during  the  winter.  It  often 
happens  that  a  considerable  area  of  a  pond  becomes 
choked  with  the  leaves  of  this  plant,  and  unless  checked 
in  some  way,  they  would  cause  the  loss  of  many  tons 
of  marketable  ice.  To  overcome  this  difficulty,  the 
owners  usually  open  the  locks  and  release  the  water 
during  midsummer,  allowing  the  ponds  to  run  dry  for 
several  weeks.  While  this  operation  does  not  always 
kill  the  roots,  it  does  affect  the  foliage,  which  causes 
the  trouble,  and  it  is  left  to  the  mercy  of  the  sun. 
In  the  early  fall  the  floodgates  are  closed,  and  the 
rising  water  insures  a  clear  field  of  ice.  Anyone  not 
familiar  with  the  construction  of  the  Spatter-dock's 
blossom  would  naturally  describe  it  as  a  yellow  flower, 
having  six  large,  yellow  petals,  and  a  great,  big  pistil, 

112 


TR.\ILING  ARBUTUS.     MAYFLOWER.     Epigaea  repens 


SHOOTING  STAR.     AMERICAN  COWSLIP.     Dodecatheon  Meadia 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  oranGx. 

surrounded  with  many  stamens.  But  let  us  see  what 
it  really  is.  It  is  a  large  flower,  all  right,  having  six 
large,  concave  sepals  —  not  petals  —  which  form  an 
orange-shaped  cup,  measuring  from  one  and  one-half  to 
three  and  one-half  inches  in  diameter.  Three  of  these 
petal-like  sepals  are  slightly  larger  than  the  others, 
and  form  the  inner  row  of  an  alternate  arrangement 
with  the  three  smaller  ones  which  support  them. 
They  are  bright  yellow  in  colour,  shading  to  a  light 
green  at  their  base,  and  occasionally  they  are  stained 
with  purple.  Immediately  inside  this  yellow-lined 
bowl  are  the  real  petals,  forming  a  ring  around  the 
thick,  compound  pistil.  They  are  stamen-like,  fleshy, 
oblong,  and  numerous,  and  are  comparatively  short, 
less  than  half  an  inch  in  length.  The  many  yellow 
stamens  are  arranged  in  five,  six,  or  seven  rows  directly 
around  the  pistil,  from  which  they  radiate,  and  recurv- 
ing prettily,  fill  the  cup.  The  flat  top  of  the  great 
stigma  or  pistil,  which  is  compounded  or  com- 
posed of  many  carpels  or  simple  pistils,  is  orange-red 
or  yellow,  and  is  strikingly  decorated  with  a  starlike 
design,  having  from  twelve  to  twenty-four  rays.  The 
flowers  are  not  possessed  of  a  pleasing  odour,  and 
this  accounts  for  much  of  its  unattractiveness.  In 
England  they  are  called  Brandy  Bottles,  a  name 
which  knowing  ones  claim  is  suggested  by  its  odour, 
and  which  others  attribute  to  the  shape  of  its  seed 
cases.  They  are  found  either  floating  or  erected  above 
the  water,  in  common  with  its  foliage.  The  large, 
smooth,  shining  leaves  are  tough  and  leathery,  and 

"3 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

measure  from  six  to  twelve  inches  in  length.  They 
are  deeply  cleft  or  heart-shaped  at  the  base,  and  ovate 
in  general,  with  a  rounded  tip  and  toothless  margins. 
The  long,  smooth,  thick,  light  green  stems  of  the 
leaves  and  flowers  rise  to  the  surface  of  the  water  from 
the  thick  horizontal  rootstock  which  is  anchored 
in  the  mud.  The  leaf  stems  are  sometimes  flattened 
on  one  side.  The  roots  are  said  to  have  been  used  by 
the  Indians  as  food.  This  Pond  Lily  ranges  from  New 
Brunswick  and  Nova  Scotia,  south  to  Florida  and 
westward  to  the  Rocky  Mountains,  Texas  and  Utah. 

AMERICAN  LOTUS.      NELUMBO.     WATER 
CHINQUAPIN,  OR  WANKAPIN 

Nelumbo  lutea.     Water  Lily  Family. 

This  beautiful  aquatic  is  found  in  scattered  localities 
from  Ontario  to  Florida,  and  westward,  during  July 
and  August.  The  large,  showy  fragrant  flower  is 
from  four  to  ten  inches  broad,  pale  yellow  in  colour, 
and  slightly  resembling  a  double  tulip,  with  numer- 
ous petals  and  stamens  inserted  on  the  calyx.  The 
concave  and  pointed  petals  are  arranged  in  several 
rows,  and  they  graduate  into  stamens.  The  large, 
round,  slightly  hollowed  leaves  generally  rise  high 
above  the  water,  and  are  often  two  feet  broad.  They 
assume  a  peculiar  bluish  green  as  the  season  advances, 
and  are  strongly  ribbed,  smooth  above  and  hairy 
beneath.  The  thick,  stout  stem  has  several  large  air 
canals,  and  the  rootstock  is  thick  and  nearly  hori- 
zontal.    The  seed  case  reminds  one  of  the  sprink- 

114 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

ling  nozzle  of  a  watering  pot.  It  is  held  erect,  and 
its  surface  is  indented  with  little  pockets  containing 
the  small,  round,  nut-like  seeds.  The  root  tubers 
and  seeds  are  edible.  This  plant  is  especially  com- 
mon in  the  Central  States,  near  the  Great  Lakes. 

THE   BUTTERCUPS 

Ranunculaceae.     Crowfoot  Family. 

Show  me  a  man  who,  when  a  boy,  did  not  hold  a 
Buttercup  under  his  own  or  another's  chin  that  he 
might,  by  the  reflection  of  its  brilliant  yellow  cup, 
determine  to  what  degree  his  subject  "liked  butter," 
and  I  will  show  you  a  man  who  has  not  experienced 
a  full  share  of  the  joyous  thrills  of  a  genuine,  glorious 
childhood.  The  custom  is  an  old  and  popular  one, 
and  comes  of  a 

"  Knowledge  never  learned  of  schools 
Of  the  wild  bee's  morning  chase, 
Of  the  wild  flower's  time  and  place." 

The  month  of  June  finds  the  Buttercups  at  their  best, 
and  in  the  greatest  profusion  of  bloom.  The  snappy, 
yellow  cups  fairly  scintillate  with  the  sun's  radiance, 
and  as  the  breezes  tilt  them,  its  golden  glory  is  flashed 
and  re-flashed  with  dazzling  brightness,  lending  a 
charm  and  cheerfulness  to  the  grassy  fields  and  road- 
sides where  they  sparkle,  that  defies  description. 
You  have  probably  noticed  in  pasture  lands,  when  the 
grass  is  smooth  and  closely  cropped  by  grazing  cattle, 
that  it  was  dotted  here  and  there  with  small  tufts 
of    tall    grass    and    foliage    from    which    spread    the 

115 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD   FLOWERS 

glittering,  golden  flowers  of  the  Buttercup,  as  if  they 
had  been  purposely  placed  there  for  ornamental  and 
decorative  effect.  Perhaps  they  were,  but  if  so,  why 
not  the  Clover  or  Forget-me-not,  or  any  of  a  dozen 
and  one  other  equally  pleasing  flowers?  Why  was 
the  Buttercup  alone  selected.  I  will  tell  you  why. 
It  is  because,  as  the  gossips  say,  the  Crowfoot  clan  has 
a  family  "skeleton  in  its  closet."  Some  of  its  kind, 
the  Aconite  and  Larkspur,  have  developed  certain 
highly  poisonous  qualities,  and  the  Buttercup,  though 
happily  free  from  such  deadly  contamination,  still 
betrays  its  kinship  by  the  very  acrid  and  caustic  juice 
which  it  conceals.  For  this  reason,  horses  and  cattle 
intentionally  avoid  the  Buttercups,  and  that  is  why 
they  stand  out  boldly  and  fearlessly  in  every  pasture, 
bidding  a  pretty  defiance  to  their  four-footed  enemies 
who  might  otherwise  ruthlessly  obliterate  them.  Many 
farmers  destroy  the  Crowfoot  with  marked  vengeance, 
and  look  upon  their  coming  hay  crop  with  more  or  less 
concern  and  depreciation,  if  their  timothy  is  brightened 
with  these  brilliant  blossoms.  Their  fears  should  cease, 
however,  when  they  learn  that  the  Buttercup  loses  its 
objectionable  qualities  with  the  drying  or  curing  pro- 
cess of  hay-making,  and  then  it  is  relished  as  a  fodder. 

SMALL=FLOWERED,   OR   KIDNEY=LEAVED 
CROWFOOT 

Ranunculus  abortivus.     Crowfoot  Family. 

Commonly  found  along  shady  hillsides  and  wood- 
land  streams   during   April,    May,    and    June,    from 

ii6 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

Labrador  and  Nova  Scotia  to  Manitoba,  and  south 
to  Florida,  Arkansas,  and  Colorado,  this  biennial 
species  grows  from  one-half  to  two  feet  high.  The 
bright  green  lower  leaves  are  smooth,  thick  and  rounded 
or  somewhat  kidney-shaped.  The  small  flowers  have 
prominent  heads,  and  drooping,  pale  yellow  petals, 
which  are  shorter  than  the  reflexed  calyx. 

HOOKED  CROWFOOT 

Ranunculus  recurvatus.     Crowfoot  Family. 

This  is  an  annual  species  with  very  acrid  and 
blistering  juice.  It  grows  throughout  the  same 
general  range  as  the  small-leaved  species,  and  is 
about  the  same  height.  It  is  found  from  June 
to  August.  It  is  common  in  wet  woodlands  and 
ditches,  and  may  be  easily  distinguished  by  its  large, 
hooked  seed  cases,  which  are  grouped  in  a  conspi- 
cuous cluster.  The  stalk  is  thick  and  hollow,  the 
leaves  are  thickish,  and  the  pale  flowers  are  small, 
with  inconspicuous  petals. 

EARLY,  OR  TUFTED  BUTTERCUP 

Ranunculus  fasctcularis.     Crowfoot  Family. 

A  common,  early,  fine,  silky-haired  woodland 
species,  growing  from  six  to  twelve  inches  high,  and 
bearing  deep  yellow,  narrow-petalled  flowers,  meas- 
uring nearly  an  inch  broad.  The  flower  often  has 
six  or  seven  petals.  It  rises  from  a  cluster  of  thick- 
ened fleshy-fibred  roots,  and  is  found  during  April 
and   May    in   open    woods   from   Ontario   and   New 

117 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

England  to  North  Carolina  and  westward  to  Texas 
and  Manitoba.  The  dark  green,  long-stemmed  leaves 
are  deeply  lobed  with  three,  four,  or  five  divisions. 
This  is  one  of  the  very  first  of  the  Buttercups  to  blos- 
som m  the  spring  time. 

SWAMP,  OR  MARSH  BUTTERCUP 

Ranunculus  septentrtonalis.     Crowfoot  Family. 

This  is  the  second  Buttercup  to  blossom  in  the  spring, 
and  follows  closely  upon  the  Bulbous.  It  is  tall  and 
branching,  sometimes  reclining  and  taking  root  at  the 
joints.  It  grows  from  one  to  three  feet  high,  and  the 
thick,  hollow  stem  is  generally  smooth  and  finely 
grooved.  It  is  found  in  low,  swampy,  or  moist,  shady 
places,  from  New  Brunswick  and  Manitoba,  south  to 
Georgia  and  Kentucky,  from  April  to  July.  The 
mottled  leaves  are  large  and  thrice  divided,  with  the 
divisions  again  cleft  into  three  much-notched  and 
pointed  lobes.  They  are  set  on  long  foot  stems.  The 
flower  is  an  inch  broad,  and  the  petals  do  not  over- 
lap like  those  of  the  Tall  Crowfoot. 

HISPID  BUTTERCUP 

Ranunculus  h'lspidus.     Crowfoot  Family. 

The  earliest  flowering  Buttercup  in  the  vicinity  of 
New  York.  Its  young  leaves  are  very  hairy.  The 
stems  are  sometimes  spreading,  and  together  with 
their  bright  yellow  flowers,  this  species  is  generally 
larger,  but  fewer  leaved  than  the  Bristly  Crowfoot. 
The  thin  leaves  are  divided  three,  four,  or  five  times, 

ii8 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

and  the  divisions  are  again  sharply  cleft  and  lobed. 
They  are  set  on  long  stems.  This  Buttercup  rises 
from  a  cluster  of  stout,  fibrous  roots,  and  is  found  in 
moist  places  and  upland  woods,  from  Georgia  and 
Arkansas  northward,  from  March  to  May. 

CREEPING   BUTTERCUP 

Ranunculus  re  pens.     Crowfoot  Family. 

This  species  spreads  by  runners  and  forms  large 
patches  along  roadsides  and  in  low  fields,  from  Nova 
Scotia  to  Virginia,  and  westward,  during  May,  June, 
and  July.  The  plants  are  generally  hairy.  The 
thrice  divided  leaves  are  set  on  long  stems,  and  are 
often  spotted  or  marked  with  white.  The  flowers 
are  nearly  an  inch  broad. 

BRISTLY   BUTTERCUP 

Ranunculus  pennsylvdnicus.     Crowfoot  Family. 

This  unlovely  Buttercup  grows  commonly  from  one 
to  two  feet  high  in  wet,  open  places,  from  Nova  Scotia 
to  Georgia,  and  west  to  the  Rocky  Mountains  and 
British  Columbia,  during  June,  July  and  August. 
The  flowers  have  a  prominent  thimble-shaped,  head 
formed  of  numerous  green  pistils,  surrounded  with 
small  petals  of  the  same  length  as  the  sepals.  The 
very  stout,  hollow  stalk  is  stiff  and  bristly  with  long 
hairs.  The  numerous  leaves  are  thin,  medium  green 
in  colour,  and  are  thrice  divided  into  three  deeply 
cleft  divisions.  When  first  observed,  the  flowers 
appear  as  though  the  petals  had  dropped  away,  and 

119 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

only  the  seed  head  remained,  but  closer  examination 
will  reveal  the  small,  rounded  yellow  petals. 

BULBOUS  BUTTERCUP.   KING,  OR  GOLD  CUP 

Ranunculus  bulbosus.     Crowfoot  Family. 

This  Buttercup  occurs  commonly  from  May  to  July, 
throughout  some  of  the  Northeastern  States,  in  fields 
and  along  roadsides.  It  is  easily  identified  by  its 
bulbous  root,  which,  from  its  energy-storing  nature,  en- 
ables its  flower  to  appear  first  of  its  kind  in  the  spring. 
The  plant  resembles  the  Tall  Crowfoot  in  a  general 
way,  but  it  is  more  hairy,  and  does  not  attain  so  large 
a  size.  The  flowers  are  large,  and  the  sepals  are  bent 
downward,  often  close  to  the  stem.  The  deep,  glossy 
yellow  petals,  usually  number  five,  but  often  appear 
in  sixes  or  sevens,  and  the  flower  measures  over  an 
inch  in  diameter.     It  is  naturalized  from  Europe. 

COMMON  MEADOW,  OR  TALL  BUTTERCUP.     TALL 

CROWFOOT.     BLISTER  FLOWERS. 

BUTTER  FLOWERS 

Ranunculus  acris.  Crowfoot  Family. 
This  familiar  species  is  found  commonly  through- 
out the  Northern  States  and  Canada,  from  May  to 
September.  It  is  a  perennial,  naturalized  from 
Europe.  The  finely  ribbed  and  branching  stalk 
grows  two  or  three  feet  high  from  fibrous  roots.  It 
is  erect,  and  generally  hairy,  hollow  and  stout.  The 
conspicuous  flower  is  an  inch  broad,  with  five  rather 
wide  and  rounding  bright  yellow  petals.  The  inner 
surface  is  exceedingly  glossy,  like  enamel,  while  the 
outer   is   dull   and   paler   in   colour.     The  numerous 

I20 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

yellow  stamens  are  grouped  delightfully  around 
the  many  small  green  pistils,  forming  the  centre. 
Five  narrow,  pointed  sepals  open  widely  and  are 
slightly  curved  and  hairy,  and  pale  yellow  in  colour. 
The  flowers  expand  considerably  after  the  small, 
round,  green  buds  open,  and  when  fully  matured 
some  of  them  possess  a  delicate,  though  scarcely  per- 
ceptible fragrance.  The  basal  leaves  have  long, 
narrow,  grooved  stems,  and  form  pretty,  rounded  and 
slightly  spreading  tufts  near  the  ground.  They  are 
divided  from  three  to  seven  times,  and  each  division 
is  again  cleft  into  numerous  narrow  parts,  and  sharply 
pointed  lobes.  The  veins  show  plainly,  and  the  sur- 
face is  downy  and  soft  to  the  touch.  Their  dark  green 
colour  becomes  lighter  on  the  under  side.  The 
fewer  upper  leaves  are  simply  three-parted,  and 
clasp  the  stalk  where  it  branches.  It  is  common 
practice  afield  to  pluck  a  flower  and  carry  it  in  the 
mouth;  but  with  the  Buttercups  this  should  be 
avoided,  as  its  acrid  juice  causes  blisters  to  appear 
on  the  lips  and  tongue.  For  this  reason  it  is 
known  in  some  localities  as  the  Blister  Flower. 
The  generic  name  is  derived  from  the  Latin,  rana, 
a  small  frog,  and  was  applied  by  Pliny  because 
some  of  the  Crowfoots  grew  where  the  frogs  abound. 

MARSH  MARIGOLD.    COWSLIP.   MEADOW  QOWAN 

Caltha  palustris.     Crowfoot  Family. 

There  is  good  reason  to  believe  that  our  common 
Marsh  Marigold  is  of  the  same  sort  as  that  which  was 

121 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD   FLOWERS 

immortalized  by  the  Christians  during  the  Middle 
Ages,  who  dedicated  this  flower  to  Mary,  the  Mother 
of  Jesus.  The  name  was  originally  Mary's  Gold, 
and  Shakespeare  refers  to  it  in  Cymbeline,  where 
the  musicians  sing: 

"Hearke,  hearke,  the    Lark  at    Heaven's   gate  sings,  and 

Phcebus  gins  arise, 
His  steeds  to  water  at  those  Springs  on  chalic'd  Flowers  that  lyes: 
And  winking  Mary-buds  begin  to  ope  their  golden  eyes: 
With  everything  that  pretty  is,  my  Lady  sweet,  arise. 
Arise,  arise." 

It  is  just  as  well  to  know,  however,  that  the  names 
Marigold  and  Cowslip  are  more  commonly  and  truth- 
fully applied  to  altogether  different  species.  Mari- 
golds, as  almost  everyone  knows,  are  the  favourite, 
old-fashioned,  coarse-smelling,  rough-and-ready  gar- 
den flowers  which  delighted  our  grandmothers,  while 
the  Cowslips  are,  in  reality,  a  species  of  Primrose. 
Do  you  wonder  what 's  in  a  name  ?  The  scientific 
name,  Caltha,  means  cup,  and  palus,  a  marsh  — 
hence  Marsh  Cup,  a  name  which  has  some  real  signi- 
ficance, and  is  aptly  applied.  The  Marsh  Marigolds 
flourish  along  the  wet  borders  of  streams  and  marshes, 
where  the  roots  are  more  or  less  in  the  water  and  the 
ground  is  springy  and  wet.  Early  in  April  the  beau- 
tiful, bright  yellow  cups  of  the  flowers  reflect  the  glory 
of  the  sun  from  amid  a  thrifty,  bushy  clump  of  crisp, 
glossy  green  leaves.  They  blossom  in  great  pro- 
fusion, and  their  attractive  flowers  are  gathered  in  the 
spring,  tied  in  bunches,  and  sold  along  the  streets  of 
our  larger  cities  as  Cowslips.     The  entire  plant,  root, 

122 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

stalk,  leaf  and  flower,  surely  indicates  the  perfection 
of  a  vigorous,  healthy  growth,  which  they  enjoy, 
and  were  it  less  snappy  and  effective,  it  might  be  called 
coarse,  rather  than  delicate.  The  large,  showy, 
saucer-shaped  flower  measures  an  inch  or  an  inch  and 
a  half  across,  and  resembles  a  good-sized  Buttercup  as 
much  as  anything.  Like  the  Hepaticas,  the  Marsh 
Marigolds  do  not  possess  true  petals;  but  the  broad 
oval  sepals,  from  five  to  ten  in  number,  serve  in  their 
stead.  The  glossy,  delicate-textured  flowers  emit  a 
slight  odour,  and  have  numerous  stamens  and  pistils. 
The  stout,  smooth,  hollow  stalk  is  often  branched  at 
the  top  where  the  flowers  are  borne  during  April,  May, 
and  June,  and  it  grows  a  foot  or  two  in  height.  The 
smooth,  rich,  bright  green  leaves  are  generally  rounded 
and  heart-shaped  at  the  base,  and  are  broader  than 
long.  The  lower  ones  have  long,  thick  stems,  rising 
directly  from  the  root.  The  upper  ones  are  usually 
stemless,  and  are  set  directly  on  the  stalk,  particu- 
larly where  it  branches.  The  leaves  are  used  as  a 
spring  vegetable,  and,  together  with  the  stalks  and 
buds,  are  boiled  and  eaten  like  spinach,  to  which  it 
is  said  to  be  superior.  The  Marsh  Marigolds  range 
from  New  Brunswick  to  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and 
south  to  Iowa  and  South  Carolina. 

COMMON    BARBERRY.      PEPPERIDQE      BUSH 

Berheris  vulgaris.     Barberry  Family. 

The  Barberry  becomes  conspicuous  during  Septem- 
ber and  October,  when  its  beautiful  pendant  clusters 

123 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD   FLOWERS 

of  brilliant  scarlet  berries  begin  to  brighten  hilly- 
pastures  and  wayside  thickets.  Gardeners  take  advan- 
tage of  this  extremely  ornamental  shrub,  and  use  it 
extensively  for  making  hedges  and  beautifying  home 
grounds.  Its  decorative  value  may  be  better  appre- 
ciated when  it  is  considered  that  the  attractive  ber- 
ries remain  throughout  the  winter.  The  fruit  is 
sour  and  puckery,  but  not  altogether  unpleasant  to 
the  taste,  and  when  cooked,  they  make  a  beautifully 
coloured  syrup  or  jelly  of  pleasing  flavour.  Indeed, 
the  store  of  preserved  viands  on  the  swing  shelf  in  the 
cellar  or  topmost  shelf  in  the  upstairs  closet  of  any  old 
New  England  farm  house  is  not  replete  until  the  busy 
housewife  makes  her  old-fashioned  Barberry  jam. 
Then  all  hands  look  forward  to  the  coming  Thanks- 
giving dinner  with  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that 
there  surely  will  be  the  making  of  Barberry  tarts  — 
tarts  that  outclass  the  cranberry  sort,  too.  And  if  on 
the  day  following  the  feast,  a  body  should  happen  to 
feel  feverish  or  indisposed,  the  same  Barberry  usually 
helped  to  adjust  the  effects  of  too  much  turkey  and 
pumpkin  pie,  for  it  is  both  food  and  medicine.  The 
juice  of  the  berries  has  a  cooling  effect  upon  fever 
patients,  and  it  is  used  as  a  gentle  tonic,  and  was 
formerly  administered  in  cases  of  jaundice.  The 
roots  and  inner  bark  are  sometimes  used  to  make  a 
yellow  dye,  and  also  for  tanning  purposes.  Malic 
acid  is  made  from  the  berries.  The  Barberry  is 
severely  condemned  by  wheat  growers  because  it  is 
believed  to  harbour  a  mildew  or  fungus  {Aecidium) 

124 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

which  develops  into  a  summer-stage  or  form  (Uredo), 
known  as  a  wheat  rust.  At  one  time,  Massachusetts 
farmers  were  obliged  by  a  state  law  to  destroy  all 
the  Barberry  bushes  found  growing  near  their  wheat- 
fields.  This  did  not  necessarily  check  the  fungus, 
as  it  is  known  to  have  propagated  and  spread  for 
years  thereafter.  The  Pepperidge  Bush  is  a  native 
of  Europe  and  Asia,  and  has  been  introduced  into  this 
country,  where  it  has  become  naturalized  in  the  Eastern 
and  Middle  States,  and  sparingly  in  Canada  and  the 
West.  It  prospers  in  dry,  gravelly  soil  in  waste  places, 
and  grows  six  or  eight  feet  high,  in  a  healthy,  robust 
way  of  its  own.  Its  many  spreading  branches  are 
gracefully  arched  and  drooping  at  the  ends.  The 
smooth  gray  twigs  are  armed  with  numerous  sharp, 
three-pronged  spines  or  thorns.  The  thorns  of  the 
Barberry  really  represent  leaves.  This  is  proven  by 
the  fact  that  they  produce  a  leaf  bud  in  their  axil. 
If  a  new  season's  growth  is  examined,  various  gradu- 
ations from  the  fully  developed  spiny  leaf  at  the  base, 
to  the  reduced  branching  spine  toward  the  tip,  will 
be  found.  Generally,  thorns  are  stunted,  woody 
branches,  starting  from  the  axils  of  the  leaves,  but  they 
should  not  be  confused  with  the  thorns  of  the  Wild 
Rose  or  Blackberry,  which  are  merely  growths  on  the 
bark,  and  if  the  bark  is  peeled  off,  the  thorns  adhere 
to  it.  The  Barberry's  small  yellow  flowers  have  a 
disagreeable  odour.  They  have  six  sepals,  six  pistils, 
and  six  stamens.  The  latter  are  curiously  arranged, 
and   form   little   inverted   arches   between   the   thick, 

125 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD   FLOWERS 

green  pistil  and  each  cupped  petal,  reminding  one  of 
the  arrangement  of  the  stamens  of  the  Mountain 
Laurel.  They  are  irritable,  and  sensitive  to  a  high 
degree,  and  if  touched  with  a  pin  during  favourable 
weather  they  will  snap  back  automatically  toward 
the  pistil  with  the  activity  of  a  spring  mouse-trap, 
scattering  a  tiny  cloud  of  pollen.  The  flowers  are 
borne  in  gracefully  drooping  clusters,  which  hang 
from  the  leaf  joints.  The  thick,  rounded  oval  leaves 
have  a  smooth  surface  and  firm  texture,  and  they 
grow  from  one  to  two  inches  long.  They  are  set 
on  short  stems  in  little  rosette-like  groups  of  three  to 
five,  which  spring  from  the  axils  of  the  three-pronged 
spines  or  thorns.  The  colour  is  light  bluish  green, 
and  their  edges  are  protected  with  numerous  sharp 
bristly  points.  The  flowering  season  is  May  and 
June.  The  berry  is  oblong  in  shape,  and  contains 
one  or  two  hard  seeds.  The  scientific  name  is 
of   Arabic   origin. 

AMERICAN   BARBERRY 

Berberis  canadensis.     Barberry  Family. 

This  is  a  smaller  and  less  common  species,  grow- 
ing in  the  woods  on  the  mountains  of  Virginia  to 
Georgia,  along  the  Alleghanies,  and  in  Missouri. 
It  is  not  found  in  Canada,  as  its  specific  name  might 
cause  one  to  think.  It  grows  from  one  to  six  feet  high, 
and  is  readily  distinguished  from  the  Common  Bar- 
berry by  its  dark,  reddish  brown  branches.  The 
leaves  are  not  so  spiny,   and  the  bristles  are   more 

126 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

separated.  The  flowers  are  smaller  clustered,  and 
it  consequently  bears  fewer  berries,  which  are  oval, 
rather  than  oblong.  The  petals  are  distinctly  notched, 
and  are  arranged  in  a  double  row,  or  nearly  so. 

GREATER  CELANDINE.     SWALLOW-WORT 
TETTER=WORT 

Chelidonium  majiis.     Poppy  Family. 

The  Celandine  is  a  loose  branching  herb,  sprawled 
commonly  along  roadsides  and  waste  places,  in  fields, 
and  about  old  buildings.  It  has  been  naturalized 
from  Europe,  and  is  often  confused  with  the  Black 
Mustard  by  those  who  are  not  familiar  with  the  flowers. 
The  light  green  stalk  has  a  whitish  bloom,  and  grows 
from  one  to  two  feet  high.  It  is  sparingly  hairy, 
weak  and  brittle,  and  is  filled  with  a  copious  orange- 
coloured,  acrid  juice  that  stains  everything  it  touches, 
and  which  is  said  to  be  poisonous.  Small  boys  paint 
warts  with  it  in  the  hope  of  removing  them,  and  for  the 
same  effect,  their  parents  have  used  the  irritant 
juice  on  their  corns.  The  pretty  little  odourless 
flowers  are  half  an  inch  or  more  broad,  and  are  borne 
in  small,  loose  clusters  on  slender  stems.  The  four 
slightly  curved,  spreading,  oval  petals  are  pure  yellow 
and  lustreless.  The  prominent,  slender,  green  pistil 
is  surrounded  with  numerous  pretty  yellow  stamens, 
with  yellow  anthers.  The  buds  are  nodding,  and 
the  two  yellowish  sepals  fall  as  the  flower  opens. 
The  thin,  loosely  textured,  yellowish  green  leaf  is 
not  unattractive.     It  is  compound,   and  deeply  cleft 

127 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD   FLOWERS 

into  five  or  more,  generally  oval  leaflets,  which  are 
arranged  alternately,  and  have  their  margins  irregu- 
larly scalloped.  The  under  surface  has  a  whitish 
bloom,  and  is  strongly  ribbed  and  veined,  the  veination 
showing  through  on  the  upper  side.  They  set  grace- 
fully on  short,  weak,  hairy  stems.  The  seed  pod  is 
long  and  slender,  and  often  measures  two  inches  in 
length.  It  is  smooth  and  two-parted,  and  splits 
upward  from  the  bottom  when  matured.  The  Celan- 
dine blossoms  from  April  to  September  throughout 
the  Eastern  States.  The  name  is  derived  from  the 
Greek  Chelidon,  a  swallow,  and  was  used  by 
Dioscorides,  because,  it  is  said,  the  flowers  appeared 
in  the  spring  when  the  swallows  arrived,  and  per- 
ished in  the  fall  when  these  birds  departed.  For 
this  reason   it  is  also  called  Swallow-wort. 

GOLDEN  CORYDALIS 

Corydalis  aurea.     Fumitory  Family. 

This  bright  yellow-flowered  Corydalis  blossoms  ear- 
lier than  the  Pink  species,  and  is  found  along  rocky 
woodland  banks  and  in  recent  clearings  from  Quebec  to 
Mackenzie,  and  south  to  Oregon,  Arizona,  Texas,  Mis- 
souri, Wisconsin,  and  Pennsylvania.  It  is  commonly  low 
and  spreading.  The  leaves  are  mostly  short-stemmed, 
and  are  finely  cut  and  divided,  with  the  leaflets  more 
wedge-shaped  or  broader  than  those  of  the  latter 
species.  The  conspicuously  spurred  and  nearly  hori- 
zontal flowers  are  about  half  an  inch  long.  They 
are  golden  yellow  in  colour,  and  the  outer  petals  are 

128 


TURTLEHEAD.       Chelone  glabra 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

ridged  on  the  back.  The  seed  pods  are  curved  and 
spreading,  and  not  erect  and  straight,  like  those  of 
its  pink  sister.  Corydalis  is  from  an  ancient  Greek 
word,  Korydalos,  a  lark,  and  alludes  to  the  spur  of  the 
flower  as  resembling  that  of  the  lark.  It  is  found 
from  March  to  May. 

WHITE  MUSTARD 

Brassica  alba.     Mustard  Family. 

The  light  brown  seeds  of  the  White  Mustard  are 
extensively  used  like  those  of  the  Black  Mustard,  but 
they  are  not  so  pungent,  and  are  often  mixed  with 
them,  on  account  of  their  milder  nature.  The  plant 
is  quite  similar  in  many  respects.  It  is  covered, 
more  or  less,  with  stiff,  spreading  hairs,  and  grows 
only  one  or  two  feet  high.  The  large,  yellow 
flowers  are  nearly  twice  the  size  of  the  Black 
species,  and  the  stems  are  rather  stout  and  spread- 
ing. The  circular,  bristly  seed  pods  are  somewhat 
spreading,  with  a  long,  fiat  beak,  and  are  narrowed 
between  the  seeds.  The  White  Mustard  ranges 
about  the  same    as  the  Black   Mustard. 

CHARLOCK.     WILD     MUSTARD.        FIELD      KALE 

Brassica  an'ensis.     Mustard  Family. 

This  common  and  annoying  plant  was  introduced 
into  this  country  from  Europe,  and  is  becoming  widely 
distributed  as  a  weed  in  grain  fields  and  waste 
margins  about  cultivated  lands,  where  progressive 
farmers  attack  it  with  an  everlasting  determination  to 

129 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

suppress  it.  It  grows  from  one  to  two  feet  high,  and 
branches  at  the  top.  It  is  covered  with  numerous 
stiff,  scattered  hairs.  The  plant  is  coarse  in  struc- 
ture, and  is  rather  scrawly  in  appearance.  The  alter- 
nating leaves  are  similar  to  those  of  the  Black  Mustard, 
but  they  are  not  so  much  divided.  They  are  rough 
to  the  touch,  coarse  and  prominently  ribbed  and 
veined,  and  often  their  edges  are  notched  and  wavy. 
The  flowers  are  a  trifle  longer  than  the  Black  species, 
and  are  more  sparse.  The  sepals  spread  as  the  flower 
expands.     The  pods  are  usually  smooth,  but  knotty. 

BLACK  MUSTARD 

Brasstca  nigra.     Mustard  Family. 

There  is  a  strong  likelihood  that  the  tiny  seed  of  this 
very  plant  is  identical  with  the  Mustard  seed  of  the 
Saviour's  parable,  in  which  He  likened  it  unto  the 
Kingdom  of  Heaven.  The  Mustard  was  extensively 
cultivated  in  Palestine  for  fodder,  and  from  Asia  and 
Europe  it  was  introduced  into  our  country,  where  it 
has  spread  from  one  end  of  it  to  the  other.  Surely, 
from  its  persistent  spreading  nature,  the  seed  is  sym- 
bolic of  His  divine  command:  "Go  ye  into  all  the 
world  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature."  The 
very  small,  dark  brown  seed  is  a  most  important  com- 
mercial product.  It  furnishes  one  of  the  most  popular 
table  condiments,  as  well  as  one  of  the  best  known 
household  applications  for  common  physical  ailments. 
The  use  of  hot  Mustard  foot-baths  for  colds  and  chills, 
and  of  the  homely,  blistering  Mustard  plaster  for  the 

130 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

relief  of  every  pain  is  only  too  well  known  in    every 
family.     The  oil  of  Mustard,  made  from  the  seeds, 
is  intensely  pungent,  and  is  used  for  making  liniments 
and  soap.     When  used  as  fodder,  the  plant  is  harvested 
before  the  seeds  mature.     The  Black  Mustard  is  com- 
mon throughout  our  country  from  June  to  November, 
in  fields,  roadsides,  and  waste  places.     Its  presence 
is   a   familiar   one  about   abandoned   farm   buildings 
and   weed-grown    foundations,    marking   the   ravages 
and  desolation  caused  by  fire  and  decay.     It  is  con- 
spicuously at  home  in  the  vicinity  of  public  ash  dumps 
and    in   neglected   gardens.     While    it   is   extensively 
cultivated  in  Europe,  it  is  looked  upon  by  farmers  in 
this  country  as  a  most  prolific  and  troublesome  pest. 
It  grows  erect  from  two  to  seven  feet  high,  and  branches 
widely.     The  lower  leaves  are  slender-stemmed  and 
deeply  cut  into  two  or  three  pairs  of  irregular  parts, 
and  balanced  on  the  end  with  a  single  large  lobe. 
The  edges  are  variously  toothed.     The  shorter-stemmed 
upper   leaves    are   lance-shaped,    and    often    smooth- 
edged.     The   leaves   are  loose-textured,    and   on   the 
underside  they  are  hairy.     They  are  set  on  the  stalk 
at  the  base  of  the  branches.     The  flower  has  four 
bright  yellow  petals,  arranged  like  an  oblong  cross  — 
the  cross  sign  "X"  of  multiplication,  which  is  one  of 
the  chief  characteristics  of  all  of  the  flowers  of  the 
Mustard  family,  and  which  the  Latin  name,  Cruci- 
ferae,  signifies.     The  flowers  are  less  than  half  an  inch 
broad.     The  delicate,  rounded  petals  are  narrowed  at 
the  base,  and  are  spread  toward  the  apex.   The  greenish 

131 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

yellow  calyx  has  four  narrow  divisions.  The  green 
pistil  is  tipped  with  yellow,  and  there  are  four  yel- 
low stamens.  The  flowers  are  gathered  toward  the 
end  of  the  stalk  on  short  stems,  forming  a  loose,  golden 
sceptre.  They  are  rapidly  succeeded  by  short,  narrow, 
flattened,  four-angled  seed  pods,  which  are  pressed 
toward  the  stem,  and  are  tipped  with  a  short,  slender 
beak.     Brassia  is  the  Latin  name  for  Cabbage. 

YELLOW    ROCKET.      BITTER,   WINTER, 
YELLOW  OR  ROCKET  CRESS 

Barbarea  vulgaris.     Mustard  Family. 

The  Yellow  Rocket  is  one  of  the  first  of  the  yellow 
flowered  Mustards  to  blossom  in  the  spring.  It  is 
found  in  waste  places  in  fields  and  along  roadsides 
and  meadows,  where  there  is  sufficient  moisture,  and 
the  bright  sunshine  can  reflect  from  its  floral  spikes 
and  shiny  leaves  throughout  the  day.  The  single, 
thick  green  stalk  rises  a  foot  or  even  two  feet  in  height. 
It  is  smooth,  strong,  and  angular,  with  each  of  its 
several  branching  stems  terminating  with  a  cluster  of 
yellow  flowers.  The  lower  leaves  are  lyrate  or  lyre- 
shaped,  being  cut  into  usually  five  parts.  Four  of 
these  parts  are  set  in  pairs,  and  are  considerably  smaller 
than  the  large,  rounded  odd  one  which  is  balanced 
opposite  the  base  of  the  upper  pair  of  divisions.  These 
large  leaves  are  set  on  slender,  short  stems  that  seem 
to  clasp  the  stalk  with  a  small,  flaring  edge.  They 
also  form  a  tuft  about  the  base  of  the  stalk.  They  are 
of  a  rich,  shiny  green  colour.     The  smaller  parts  are 

132 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

irregularly  oval  or  ovate,  with  the  edges  mostly  entire. 
The  upper  ones  usually  clasp  the  stalk,  and  are  much 
smaller.  The  larger  leaves  are  four  or  five  inches  long, 
and  are  used  as  a  spring  salad,  for  which  purpose  they 
are  sometimes  cultivated.  The  bright  yellow  flowers 
are  typical  of  all  the  Mustards  in  structure  and  shape. 
The  six  stamens  are  tipped  with  yellow,  and  the  calyx 
becomes  yellow  as  the  flower  matures.  The  lower 
flowers  open  first,  and  are  immediately  succeeded 
by  the  narrow  seed  pod,  while  the  top  of  the  cluster 
is  closely  spiked  with  the  short,  narrow,  yellow,  peg- 
like buds.  Herb  of  St.  Barbarea  is  an  ancient  name 
having  to  do  with  the  dedication  of  this  flower.  It  is 
found  in  blossom  from  April  to  June,  from  Labrador 
to  southern  New  York  and  Virginia,  and  locally 
in  the  interior.  Also  on  the  Pacific  coast.  The  plant 
is  naturalized  from  Europe. 

SILVERY,  OR   HOARY  CINQUEFOIL 

Potentilla  argentea.     Rose  Family. 

The  charm  of  this  little  Cinquefoil  lies  in  the  sil- 
very lining  of  dark  green,  and  often  tufted  foliage. 
Its  slender,  leafy,  branching  and  reddish  stalk  grows 
from  a  few  inches  to  a  foot  in  height,  and  is  covered 
with  a  silky,  whitish  down.  All  of  the  leaves,  except- 
ing those  topmost,  are  short-stemmed.  The  five, 
narrow,  spreading  leaflets  composing  the  compound 
leaf,  are  deeply  cut,  and  the  edge  is  slightly  curved 
backward.  The  large,  five-petalled,  yellow  flower 
has  numerous  stamens,  and  the  green  calyx  parts  are 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

nearly  as  long  as  the  petals  and  is  covered  with 
fine,  matted  white  hairs.  The  flowers  are  borne 
on  short  stems,  in  small,  terminal  groups.  It  is  found 
from  May  to  September,  in  dry  soil,  from  Nova  Scotia 
to  Ontario  and  Dakota,  south  to  the  District  of  Colum- 
bia, Indiana,  and  Kansas. 

SHRUBBY  CINQUEFOIL.      PRAIRIE  WEED 

Potent'illa  fruticosa.     Rose  Family. 

This  very  leafy,  much  branched  Cinquefoil  grows 
from  six  inches  to  four  feet  high,  and,  on  account  of 
its  rapid  and  persistent  growth,  it  has  roused  the  ire 
of  farmers,  particularly  in  the  New  England  States, 
where  it  has  been  severely  condemned  as  a  most 
troublesome  weed.  The  tough,  shreddy  barked  stem 
is  stained  with  brown.  The  leaf  has  from  five  to  seven 
narrow,  oblong,  silky-surfaced  and  crowded  leaflets, 
and  they  approach  nearer  to  the  shape  of  the  fingers 
than  those  of  any  of  the  other  Cinquefoils.  They 
are  thick-textured,  and  the  toothless  edges  are 
slightly  curled  under.  They  are  whiter  on  the  under 
side.  The  large,  five  -  petalled,  bright  yellow 
flowers  are  densely  grouped  on  slender  stems,  in 
terminal,  leafy  flat -topped  clusters,  or  sometimes 
they  are  solitary.  The  numerous  stamens  are 
tipped  with  darker  coloured  anthers.  This  plant 
is  found  from  June  to  September  in  swamps  or 
moist,  rocky  places,  in  Labrador  and  Greenland,  to 
Alaska,  south  to  New  Jersey,  Illinois,  Minnesota, 
and   in   the    Rocky   Mountains    to    Arizona,    where 

134 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

it  prospers  in  dry,  sandy  soils,  and  in  the  Sierra  Neva- 
das  to  California.     Also  in  northern  Europe  and  Asia. 

FIVE=FINQER.     WILD  STRAWBERRY 

Potenttlla  canadensis.     Rose  Family. 

This  common  Cinquefoil  is  very  frequently  mis- 
taken for  a  yellow-flowered  Wild  Strawberry,  owing 
to  a  fancied  resemblance  of  its  leaves  and  flowers. 
It  is  well  to  remember,  however,  that  the  Cinquefoil 
has  a  five-parted  leaf,  while  the  Strawberry  leaf  is  three 
parted.  The  leaf  stems  of  the  former  are  very  smooth, 
and  those  of  the  latter  are  hairy.  It  spreads  its  numer- 
ous long,  slender  runners,  which  often  root  at  the  tip, 
over  the  ground  in  every  direction  from  a  leafy  tuft. 
There  are  several  medical  qualities  attributed  to 
this  species.  The  pretty  decorative  leaf  has  five  thin, 
coarsely  toothed,  strongly  veined  leaflets.  They  are 
oblong  in  shape,  and  narrowed  toward  the  base.  The 
leaves  are  of  a  lighter  shade  on  the  under  side,  and  are 
set  on  long,  smooth  stems  rising  from  the  root  or  in 
little  shorter-stemmed  groups  along  the  runners,  at 
some  little  distance  apart.  The  slender-stemmed, 
solitary  flower  has  five  broad-oval,  yellow  petals  and 
numerous  stamens.  The  petals  are  notched  at  the 
apex,  and  the  hairy  green  calyx  is  exposed  between 
them.  The  many  green  pistils  form  a  dense  little 
head  in  the  centre.  The  five-parted  calyx  is  closely 
supported  with  five  similar  and  alternating  leafy  parts 
that  give  it  a  ten-parted  appearance.  This  plant  is 
exceedingly    abundant    in    dry    fields,    hillsides,    and 

135 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

roadways  from  Quebec  to  Georgia,  Minnesota,  and 
the  Indian  Territory,  from  April  to  August.  Potentilla 
is  derived  from  potens  meaning  powerful,  and  alludes 
to  the  medical  properties  attributed  to  some  of  the 
members  of  this  group. 

TALL   HAIRY  AGRIMONY 

Agrimonia  gryposepala.     Rose  Family. 

"  How  dear  to  this  heart  are  the  scenes  of  my  childhood, 
When  fond  recollection  presents  them  to  view." 

Agrimony  ?  Yes,  that's  one  of  the  herbs  our  grand- 
mothers gathered  every  fall,  and  which  held  a  prom- 
inent place  in  both  the  pantry  and  medicine  closet 
in  every  old  homestead.  The  farm  hands  used  it  for 
healing  cuts  and  bruises,  and  it  was  also  utilized  as 
an  additional  flavouring  for  tea,  for  which  it  was  even 
substituted.  The  Common  Agrimony  of  Europe 
was  a  much  overrated  cure-all,  and  it  is  not  unlikely 
that  many  of  its  popular  virtues  have  been  applied 
to  our  Agrimony,  which,  however,  is  quite  a  distinct 
plant.  The  hairy  green  stalk  grows  about  three  or 
four  feet  high.  The  large,  spreading,  compound  leaf 
has  usually  five  to  seven  thin,  hairy  and  toothed  leaflets. 
They  are  many  veined,  elliptical,  or  broadly  oblong 
in  shape,  and  are  alternated  upon  their  long  clasp- 
ing stems,  with  rudimentary  leaflets.  The  small 
flower  has  five  yellow  petals  and  many  orange-tipped 
stamens.  They  are  densely  arranged  in  a  long, 
slender,  curving  terminal  spike.  The  leaf,  when 
crushed,  emits  a  spicy  odour.     Agrimony  is  a  common 

136 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

plant,  and  is  found  in  blossom  from  June  to  August, 
in  woods  and  thickets  from  New  Brunswick,  North 
Carolina,  and  California. 

WILD,  OR  AMERICAN  SENNA 

Cassta  marilandtca.     Pea  Family. 

Senna  was  first  used  as  medicine  by  the  Arabians, 
and  the  leaves  of  this  species  are  regularly  gathered 
in  this  country,  and  used  as  a  substitute  for  the  imported. 
The  nearly  smooth,  light  green,  slightly  branched 
stalk  grows  from  three  to  eight  feet  high,  from  a  peren- 
nial root.  From  twelve  to  twenty  oblong  or  lance 
shaped  leaflets  set  in  opposite  pairs,  on  a  slender 
stem  from  the  large  compound  leaf.  The  base  of  the 
stem  is  guarded  with  a  slender,  club-shaped  gland. 
The  toothless  leaflets  are  rather  yellowish  green  in 
colour,  and  lighter  on  the  under  side.  They  have  a 
fine,  smooth  surface,  and  are  firm-textured.  They 
are  blunt  or  rounded  at  the  apex,  and  are  tipped  with 
a  tiny  point,  which  terminates  the  midrib.  They  are 
somewhat  sensitive  when  touched,  and  droop  when 
roughly  handled.  The  numerous,  loosely  constructed 
short-stemmed,  golden-yellow  flowers  are  clustered 
in  the  axils  of  the  upper  leaves.  They  are  very  showy, 
and  three  of  the  five  curved  petals  are  set  upright  and 
near  together,  while  the  other  two  spread  down- 
ward. Ten  unequal,  dark  brown  capped  stamens 
are  of  the  same  colour  as  the  petals,  and,  together 
with  the  prominent  yellowish  green  calyx,  add  greatly 
to  the  attractiveness  of  the  blossom.     The  species  is 

137 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD   FLOWERS 

common  in  swamps  and  wet  soil,  often  along  road- 
sides, during  July  and  August,  from  New  England  to 
Florida,  and  west  to  Michigan,  Nebraska,  and  Louisiana. 

PARTRIDGE  PEA.     WILD  SENSITIVE  PLANT 

Cassia  nictitans.     Pea  Family. 

The  singular  foliage  of  this  common  annual  herb 
is  sensitive  to  the  touch,  and  if  roughly  handled,  or 
threshed  with  the  foot,  the  numerous  leaflets  close 
together  after  the  fashion  of  a  fan,  or  remotely  sug- 
gesting the  operation  of  the  shutters  of  a  blind.  They 
also  close  at  night,  and  are  thus  said  to  "sleep."  This 
leafy  plant  is  small  and  branching,  and  grows  only 
from  six  to  fifteen  inches  high,  in  dry  fields  and 
sandy  wastes,  where  it  often  forms  large  patches. 
The  alternating  leaves  are  compounded  of  from  twelve 
to  forty-four  blunt  pointed  and  narrow-oblong  leaflets, 
which  are  arranged  in  opposite  pairs.  The  small, 
short-stemmed  flowers  have  five  spreading  yellow 
petals  and  are  borne  in  clusters  of  twos  or  threes  in 
the  axils  of  the  leaves.  They  have  five  stamens,  and 
the  fruit  matures  in  a  small,  hairy  pod.  This  species 
is  found  from  July  to  October,  from  Maine  to  Georgia, 
and  west  to  Indiana,  Kansas,  and  Texas. 

WILD   INDIGO.      YELLOW,  OR   INDIAN 
BROOM.      HORSEFLY=WEED 

Bapttsia  tincthria.     Pea  Family. 

The  very  small,  Clover-like  leaves  and  bright  yellow, 
butterfly-shaped  flowers  of  this  attractive,  branching 

138 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

plant  are  easily  distinguished  wherever  it  abounds 
as  the  Wild  Indigo.  A  blue  colouring  matter  has 
been  made  from  this  plant  and  used  as  a  substitute 
for  Indigo,  but  it  is  of  a  very  poor  quality.  The  root 
is  valuable  as  a  medicine  in  malarial  fevers.  It  is 
also  a  stimulant  and  an  antiseptic,  and  is  used  for  heal- 
ing purposes.  In  some  localities  the  very  young  ten- 
der shoots  are  used  as  greens,  like  those  of  the  Poke- 
weed,  but  if  eaten  when  too  far  advanced,  serious 
results  are  likely  to  follow.  Farmers,  especially 
throughout  Maryland  and  Virginia,  have  great  faith  in 
this  plant,  and  bunches  of  it  are  fastened  about  the 
harness  of  their  horses  to  keep  away  flies.  It  grows 
from  two  to  four  feet  high,  and  is  very  leafy.  The  fo- 
liage turns  black  in  drying.  The  short-stemmed  flowers 
have  a  light  green  calyx,  and  are  loosely  and  sparingly 
arranged  along  the  ends  of  the  numerous  branches. 
The  foliage  is  of  a  dark  grayish  green.  Wild  Indigo 
blossoms  in  dry  soil  from  June  to  September,  and  ranges 
from  Maine  to  Minnesota,  Florida  and  Louisiana. 

YELLOW,  OR  HOP  CLOVER 

Trifolium  agrarium.     Pea  Family. 

A  pretty  and  very  interesting  yellow-flowered  annual 
Clover,  coming  to  us  originally  from  Europe.  The 
smooth,  or  slightly  hairy  erect  or  ascending  stalk  is 
very  slender  and  leafy,  and  grows  from  six  to  eighteen 
inches  in  height.  It  is  generally  found  along  road- 
sides and  in  sandy  fields,  but  my  personal  experience 
has  found  them  in  infrequent,  isolated  patches,  along 

139 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD   FLOWERS 

sparse  thickets  separating  open  woodland  and  fields, 
where  the  land  was  sloping  and  a  little  rocky.  The 
three  little  leaflets  of  the  compound  leaf  are  shaped 
like  the  blades  of  miniature  canoe  paddles,  with  the 
rounding  outer  end  indented  or  nicked.  They  are 
almost  stemless,  and  as  they  ascend  the  lengthening 
stalk,  they  become  a  little  larger  and  longer.  They 
are  thin  textured,  and  the  smooth  surface  is  finely 
marked  with  feather  veinings.  Their  margins  are 
minutely  scalloped  by  the  tips  of  the  veins,  which 
extend  to  the  edges  and  form  tiny  teeth.  The  slen- 
der thread  of  a  stem  upon  which  they  are  set,  is  guarded 
at  its  base  with  a  pair  of  narrow  pointed,  clasping 
wings  that  are  united  with  the  stem  centrally  for  half 
their  length.  The  pleasing  golden  yellow  flowering 
head  is  oval  or  oblong,  and  is  densely  crowded  with 
very  small  florets,  arranged  alternately  like  scales. 
They  are  set  on  little  stems  held  in  the  axil  of  the  leaf. 
The  florets  are  delicately  fluted  with  the  finest  imag- 
inable feather  veins,  and  they  open  circularly  from  the 
lower  tier,  upward.  As  they  mature,  they  turn  down- 
ward like  those  of  the  Hop  Vine,  and  become  dry 
and  husky,  and  retain  a  light  golden  brown  colour. 
Several  stalks  spring  from  each  root  part,  and  they 
often  form  large,  loose,  widely  spreading,  brilliant 
green  groups.  Hop  Clover  is  found  from  Nova 
Scotia  to  Virginia,  west  to  western  New  York,  Ontario, 
and  Iowa,  from  May  to  September.  The  leaves  of 
the  Clovers  have  a  family  trait  of  drooping  or  clos- 
ing together   at   night,   as   if   to   "sleep."     The   two 

140 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

lateral  leaflets  are  drawn  toward  each  other,  and  the 
third  closes  against  their  edges. 

YELLOW  MELILOT.  YELLOW  SWEET  CLOVER 

Melilhtus  officinalis.     Pea  Family. 

About  all  that  has  been  said  of  the  White  Sweet 
Clover  applies  in  a  general  way  to  this  species.  The 
principal  difference,  of  course,  is  the  yellow  flowers. 
If  anything,  this  member  of  the  family  is  rather  more 
bushy  toward  the  ground.  The  branches  are  widely 
spreading,  and  the  plant  flowers  more  lowly  than  the 
white  species.  It  possesses  the  same  sweet-scented 
properties,  and  the  leaflets  are  rounded  at  the  tip  and 
not  nicked.  The  parts  of  the  corolla  are  nearly  the 
same  length,  while  those  in  the  white  flowering  species 
have  one  of  the  parts  —  the  standard  —  much  longer 
than  the  other  parts,  which  are  known  as  the  wings  and 
keel.  The  seed  pods  of  the  Yellow  Melilot  are  prom- 
inently cross-ribbed.  Old  English  names  for  this  plant 
are  Balsam  Flowers,  Heart's  Clover,  King's  Crown, 
and  Heartwort.  It  ranges  throughout  ^,the  same 
territory  as  its  white  kinsman,  and  seems  to  be  more 
common  along  the  coast.  At  night  two  of  the  three 
leaflets  close  together,  face  to  face,  and  the  third  one 
closes  against  them. 

BLACK    MEDIC.         BLACKSEED.       HOP    CLOVER. 
BLACK    TREFOIL 

Medtcago  lupuUna.     Pea  Family. 

A  small,  downy  annual  having  a  remote  resem- 
blance to  the  Yellow  Clover.     Its  slender,  twisted  stalk 

141 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

is  so  weak,  that  it  is  often  prone  to  spread  rather  help- 
lessly along  the  ground,  in  a  somewhat  scrawly  fashion. 
It  often  grows  a  foot  or  more  in  length,  and  branches 
near  the  root.  The  trifoliate  leaves  are  arranged 
quite  like  those  of  the  yellow  species,  but  the  leaflets 
are  very  much  more  egg-shaped  toward  the  tip,  and 
the  indentation  is  replaced  with  a  minute  spike.  The 
bright  yellow  flower  heads  are  very  small,  and  are 
gathered  in  oval  clusters,  and  are  set  on  short,  slen- 
der stems,  which  spring  from  the  axils  of  the  leaves, 
both  terminally  and  along  the  stalk.  They  are  com- 
posed of  numerous  delicate  little  florets  that  are  soon 
followed  by  many  curiously  curled  and  strongly 
veined,  green,  kidney-shaped  pods,  each  of  which  con- 
tains a  solitary  seed  that  turns  almost  black  as  it  ripens. 
The  green  heads  of  the  seed  cases  are  easily  mistaken 
for  flower  buds,  but  it  should  be  remembered  that 
the  flowers  are,  as  a  rule,  always  beyond  them,  toward 
the  end  of  the  stalk.  The  Black  Medic  is  widely  dis- 
tributed in  fields  and  waste  places  everywhere,  from 
March  to  December. 

YELLOW  WOODSORREL.     LADY'S  SORREL 

Oxalis  stncta.     Wood  Sorrel  Family. 

Children  delight  to  eat  the  leaves  of  this  very  com- 
mon Sorrel,  which  is  found  from  one  end  of  the  United 
States  to  the  other.  They  often  call  it  Sour  Grass, 
because  its  agreeable  sour  taste  has  a  flavour,  they 
fancy,  not  unlike  that  of  the  Red  Sorrel,  Rumex  acetosa. 
These  leaves  are  useful  as  a  remedy  for  certain  affec- 

142 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

tions  of  the  skin,  when  eaten  in  a  fresh  state.  The 
smooth,  leafy  stalk  is  branched  and  spreading,  and 
grows  about  six  inches  high.  The  thin  Clover-like 
leaf  is  composed  of  three  short,  broad  heart-shaped 
leaflets  with  their  points  united  at  the  tip  of  their  long, 
slender  stem.  They  are  pale  green  in  colour,  and  droop 
and  fold  together  at  night.  They  are  also  very  sen- 
sitive, and  close  if  roughly  handled.  The  fragrant, 
bright  golden  yellow  flowers  open  in  the  sunlight,  and 
close  at  sundown.  They  are  arranged  in  small 
groups  at  the  head  of  the  stalk,  and  are  set  on 
long  stems  that  grow  from  the  axils  of  the  leaf 
stems.  The  five,  small  spreading  petals  are  very 
thin,  and  are  supported  by  a  five-parted  green  calyx. 
The  Lady's  Sorrel  blossoms  from  April  to  October, 
in  woods  and  fields,  or  along  roadsides  and  about 
gardens  everywhere.     Naturalized  from  Europe. 

JEWEL=WEED.    BALSAM.    SNAPWEED.    SPOTTED 
TOUCH=ME=NOT.     SILVER=LEAF 

Impatiens  bifiora.     Touch-me-not  Family. 

How  in  the  world  did  they  ever  happen  to  call  this 
pretty  twinkling  cup  of  a  flower  Jewel- weed?  Well, 
just  take  a  quiet  snoop  through  any  old  family  photo- 
album,  that  used  to  serve  as  the  chief  implement 
of  torture  to  entertain  "company"  when  our  fathers 
and  mothers  were  boys  and  girls.  Turn  to  Aunt  or 
Cousin  So-and-So's  likeness,  any  one  of  them,  and 
note  the  great  dangling  earrings  and  pendant  necklace, 
and  you  will  soon  grasp  the  suggestion  that  probably 

143 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

created  this  particular  one  of  the  several  common 
names  applied  to  the  Jewel-weed.  There  may  be 
other  original  sources,  but  I  cannot  think  of  any 
more  kindred,  whenever  I  stop  to  admire  these  curious 
flowers.  It  is  also  true  that  the  leaves  hold  the  dew 
and  rain  in  glistening  drops,  but  as  diamond  jewellery 
did  not  burden  the  country  folks,  who  called  the  wild 
flowers  familiarly  by  name,  it  seems  safe  to  accept  the 
old  album's  explanations,  and  let  it  go  at  that. 

The  Jewel-weed  grows  in  rank,  tropical  and  luxu- 
riant profusion  along  water  courses  and  about  ponds, 
showing  partiality,  however,  to  shaded  portions  thereof. 
The  smooth,  hollow  stem  is  ribbed  and  angular,  trans- 
lucent and  juicy,  and  grows  from  two  to  five  feet  high. 
The  large,  broad,  oval  leaf  alternates  upon  the  stalk. 
It  has  a  tapering  tip,  and  a  coarsely  toothed  margin. 
The  texture  is  thin  and  the  surface  is  smooth.  Above, 
they  are  dull  green,  and  underneath  whitish.  The 
veins  show  on  the  surface,  and  the  stem  is  tinged  with 
red.  The  singular  flower  is  curiously  arranged.  The 
sepals  and  petals  are  of  the  same  general  colour,  and 
the  divisions  of  the  calyx  and  corolla  are  extremely 
difficult  to  distinguish  and  describe  in  simple  language. 
One  of  the  sepals  has  developed  into  a  conspicuous, 
horizontal,  orange-yellow  cornucopia,  which  tapers 
to  a  very  slender  recurved  hook.  Three  other  parts 
are  prominently  displayed  —  one  as  a  hood,  and  the 
others,  which  are  twice  cleft,  twist  and  flare  outward 
and  downward  at  the  sides  of  the  cup.  They  are 
thickly    speckled    with    reddish    brown    dots,    which 

144 


JOE  PYE  WEED.     Eupatorium  purpureum 


MEADOW  LILY.     Lilium  canadense 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

become  less  noticeable  on  the  lips  and  hood.  The 
flowers  dangle  on  slender  stems  and  are  extremely 
perishable,  and  wilt  hopelessly  when  picked.  As 
their  flowering  season  advances,  the  plants  develop 
self-fertilizing  flower  buds,  which  never  open  —  after 
the  manner  described  under  certain  of  the  Violets. 
The  seed  pods  are  very  sensitive,  and  snap  inside 
out  upon  the  slightest  provocation,  and  scatter  the 
seeds  to  the  four  winds.  For  this  reason  the  plant 
is  called  Touch-me-not.  It  may  be  found  from 
July  to  October,  and  ranges  from  Nova  Scotia  to 
Oregon  and  Alaska,  and  south  to  Florida  and  Missouri. 
Pale  Touch-me-not,  /  pallida,  is  a  larger  and  stouter 
species,  similar  to  the  foregoing,  and  is  more  common 
northward.  The  flowers  are  pale  yellow,  sparingly 
spotted  with  red,  or  occasionally  they  are  spotless. 
The  pouch  is  broader,  and  the  slightly  hooked  spur 
is  much  shorter.  This  species  is  found  from  July  to 
September,  and  ranges  from  Quebec  to  Oregon,  and 
south  to  Georgia  and  Kansas. 

ST.  JOHN'S=WORT 

Hypericum  perforatum.     St.  John's-wort  Family. 

The  common  St.  John's-wort  comes  to  us  from 
Europe  credited  with  many  virtues,  but  you  could 
never  induce  a  practical  farmer  to  see  anything  in  it 
but  an  obnoxious  yellow  peril — a  vampire  weed,  self- 
commissioned  to  exhaust  his  soil.  The  ancients 
however,  who  were  ever  bent  on  making  the  best  of 
earthly  matters,  held  it  in  high  repute,  as  a  medicine 

145 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

plant.  They  believed  that  the  dew  which  accumulated 
upon  this  plant  during  the  night  preceding  St.  John's 
Day,  the  twenty-fourth  of  July,  possessed  peculiar 
qualities  that  would  preserve  failing  eyesight.  Parts 
of  the  plant  furnished  them  with  a  family  cure-all  for 
various  bodily  ailments,  but  it  was  most  highly  esteemed 
as  a  remedy  for  wounds  and  bruises,  a  purpose  for 
which  it  is  still  being  used.  A  preparation  formerly 
called  "balm  of  the  warrior's  wound"  is  made  by 
reducing  the  tops  to  a  pulp  in  olive  oil.  When  crushed 
the  leaves  have  an  agreeable  odour,  somewhat  like 
balsam.  The  juice  is  acrid,  and  has  a  bitter  taste. 
In  rural  England  and  Germany  windows  and  doors 
were  decorated  with  St.  John's-wort  on  the  eve  of 
St.  John's  Day,  with  the  supposition  that  it  would  pre- 
vent the  entrance  of  evil  spirits.  German  women 
wore  it  in  an  amulet  about  their  necks,  and  in  Scotland 
it  was  carried  about  in  the  pockets  as  a  guard  against 
witchcraft.  In  Europe  there  is  a  popular  notion  that 
its  presence  averts  destruction  by  lightning.  The 
smooth,  slender  and  much  branched,  leafy  stalk  rises 
from  one  to  two  feet  in  height,  and  has  many  barren 
shoots  at  its  base.  The  thin-textured,  oblong  or  linear 
leaves  have  a  rounding  point,  and  are  arranged  in 
opposite  pairs.  The  edges  are  entire,  and  the  under 
surface  is  often  spotted  with  tiny  black  specks.  Between 
the  conspicuous  ribbings,  the  texture  is  thickly  dotted 
with  very  fine  specks  that,  when  held  to  the  light, 
show  transparently,  exactly  as  if  they  had  been  pricked 
with  a  needle  point.     The  light  green  calyx  has  four 

146 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

lance-shaped  sepals.  The  bright  deep  yellow  flowers 
are  frequently  an  inch  broad.  The  five  petals  are 
usually  oblique  or  contorted,  and  are  finely  notched 
along  one  side  to  the  tip,  in  a  singular  manner.  Their 
surface  is  more  or  less  covered  with  tiny  black  specks, 
particularly  along  the  margins.  Numerous  yellow 
stamens  radiate  from  the  three-pronged,  light  green 
pistil,  in  three  sets.  The  flowers  are  grouped  in  several 
or  many  open  terminal  clusters,  and  they  continue  to 
blossom  throughout  the  season.  When  they  first 
open  they  are  very  showy  and  attractive,  but  as  they 
fade,  the  petals  wither  to  a  rusty  brown.  They  do  not 
drop  off,  and  consequently  lend  an  unsightly  appear- 
ance to  the  otherwise  beautiful  flowers,  with  which  they 
are  freely  mingled.  St.  John's-wort  is  common  in  fields 
and  waste  places  from  June  to  September,  but  is  less 
common  in  the  South.     It  is  also  native  to  Asia. 

LONQ=BRANCHED  FROSTWEED.     FROSTWORT. 
CANADIAN   ROCK  ROSE 

H eltanth emum  canadense.     Rock  Rose  Family. 

The  study  of  wild  flowers  would  become  a  very 
dull  and  monotonous  subject  indeed,  if  it  were  not  for 
the  continual  panorama  of  interesting  changes  that 
it  presents  when  comparing  the  characters  and  habits 
of  one  species  with  those  of  another,  or  even  of  the 
peculiarities  of  the  same  species  at  different  seasons  of 
the  year.  The  Rock  Rose,  for  example,  has  two  sets 
of  flowers,  and  a  description  of  its  flowers  made  when 
they  first  appear  would  compare  ridiculously   with  a 

147 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD   FLOWERS 

description  taken  from  its  flowers  a  month  or  two  later. 
That  is  to  say,  if  anyone  who  is  familiar  only  with  its 
flowers  during  May  and  another  one  who  is  familiar 
with  them  only  as  they  occur  during  September, 
should  happen  to  compare  notes,  each  would  believe 
that  the  other  was  describing  an  altogether  different 
species,  so  far  as  the  flowers  were  concerned.  The 
first  flowers  of  the  Rock  Rose  blossom  during  May, 
June,  and  July,  and  they  are  known  as  primary,  or 
petaliferous  flowers.  They  are  clear,  bright  yellow  in 
colour,  very  showy,  delicate  in  texture,  and  meas- 
ure an  inch  in  diameter.  They  have  five  large,  wedge- 
shaped  petals,  which  are  rounded  at  the  top  and 
pointed  at  the  base,  and  give  the  corolla  the  outline 
of  a  hextagon.  They  are  crumpled  in  the  bud,  and 
lap  each  other  when  expanded.  The  numerous 
orange-tipped  stamens  are  usually  gathered  together 
in  a  singular  manner  on  one  side  of  the  pistil,  and  are 
pressed  back  flat  against  the  slightly  cupped  petals. 
The  large,  hairy,  green  calyx  has  three  large  and  two 
small  divisions  —  another  peculiarity.  The  flower 
is  solitary,  rarely  two  blossoming  at  the  same  time 
and  it  resembles  somewhat  the  flowers  of  the  Primrose. 
It  opens  but  once,  and  then  only  in  the  bright  sun- 
shine, lasting  but  a  few  hours,  and  perishing  over  night. 
It  is  delicately  constructed,  and  the  petals  often  drop 
when  the  flower  is  picked.  A  second  crop  of  flowers 
occurs  during  August  and  September,  and  is  known  as 
secondary  or  apetalous.  These  flowers  are  very  small 
and  entirely  different  from  the  first  ones,  and  they 

148 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

are  borne  in  clusters  at  the  axils  of  the  leaves.  They 
rarely  possess  petals,  but  they  do  produce  a  few  seeds, 
and  have  from  three  to  ten  stamens.  The  calyx  is 
hairy,  like  the  stalk,  and  the  lower  side  of  the  leaves. 
The  long,  narrow,  oblong  leaves  are  set  alternately 
and  almost  directly  on  the  stalk.  Their  surface  is 
rough,  the  midrib  is  strong,  and  the  edges  are  slightly 
curled.  Their  colour  is  dark  green  above  and  paler 
and  whitish  beneath.  The  erect,  slightly  branching 
and  woody  stalk  grows  two  feet  or  less  in  height.  It 
is  leafy,  and  is  covered  with  fine,  whitish  hairs.  This 
plant  is  found  in  fields  where  the  soil  is  dry,  rocky  and 
sandy,  from  Maine  to  Indiana,  and  Wisconsin;  south 
to  North  Carolina  and  Kentucky.  The  Latin  name 
is  from  the  Greek,  helios,  the  sun,  and  anthemon,  a 
flower.  Frostweed  is  a  popular  name  given  to  this 
plant  because  of  its  peculiar  habit  of  accumulating 
frost  crystals  of  snowy  whiteness  late  in  the  fall,  which 
bursts  the  bark  near  the  base  of  the  stem  and  flares 
out  in  weird,  feathery  fantasy,  at  various  angles  and 
degrees  of  formation. 

ROUND=LEAVED,  OR  EARLY  YELLOW  VIOLET 

Ftola  rotundijhlia.     Violet  Family. 

Much  less  conspicuous,  and  consequently  not  so 
widely  known  as  the  larger  Downy  Yellow  species, 
the  Round-leaved  Violet  is  generally  the  first  of  the 
Violets  to  appear  in  blossom.  Snuggled  beneath  the 
litter  of  fallen  leaves  in  the  seclusion  of  cool,  hilly  woods 
where   the   ground,  is    moist,    but   well    drained    and 

149 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

shaded,  this  charming  little  aristocrat  of  violetdom 
makes  its  home.  When  the  warmth  of  the  earliest 
April  showers  has  dissolved  the  frost  crystals  about 
their  roots,  and  while  the  belated,  cold,  damp-laden 
winds  are  yet  contesting  the  supremacy  of  the  bright, 
ever-warming  sunshine,  the  pale  yellow  flowers  bear 
silent  witness  to  the  conflict.  And  so  William  CuUen 
Bryant  found  it: 

"  When  beechen  buds  begin  to  swell, 

And  woods  the  bluebirds's  warble  know, 
The  yellow  violet's  modest  bell 

Peeps  from  the  last  year's  leaves  below." 

Occasionally  I  have  found  the  earliest  flowers  of  the 
Round-leaved  Violet  only  after  brushing  aside  the 
loose  blanket  of  bleached  oak-leaves,  which  hid  them 
from  sight.  Their  flower  and  leaf  stems  are  rather 
short,  and  the  blossoms  seem  to  be  contented  with  a 
sheltered  chink  between  the  fallen  leaves,  without 
forcing  their  way  above  them,  as  they  do  later  in  the 
season.  During  the  spring  months,  while  in  flower, 
the  plant  is  quite  small  and  without  an  abundance  of 
foliage.  The  early  leaves  measure  from  one-half  to 
two  inches  broad,  but  they  continue  to  expand,  until 
by  midsummer  they  have  increased  in  size  to  three 
or  four  inches,  and  form  a  pretty  rosette,  flattened 
against  the  ground,  or  very  near  it.  The  matured 
leaf  is  rounded,  with  a  short  cleft  between  two  lobes, 
forming  a  heart-shaped  structure.  The  upper  sur- 
face is  smooth,  very  shiny,  and  dark  green  in  colour. 
The  under  surface  is  lighter  in  colour,  and  the  general 

150 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

texture  is  fine.  The  edges  are  slightly  scalloped. 
They  are  borne  on  short  stems,  springing  directly  from 
the  root.  The  pale,  yellow  flower  is  comparatively 
small,  and  has  a  very  short  spur.  The  side  petals  are 
bearded,  and  are  finely  veined  with  purple.  The 
flowers  hang  singly  on  shortened,  slender  leafless 
stems.  The  thick  rootstock  sends  out  runners 
during  July,  which  bear  inconspicuous  buds  or  flowers 
that  never  open.  They  are  self-fertilizing,  and  the 
seeds  ripen  within  the  recurved  bud.  The  Round- 
leaved  Violet  ranges  throughout  the  cooler  portions 
from  Labrador  to  Minnesota,  and  southward  to 
the  higher  parts  of  North  Carolina. 

DOWNY  YELLOW  VIOLET 

Ftola  pubescens.     Violet  Family 

Scattered  about  in  dry,  airy,  particularly  hilly  or 
stony  woodland,  where  the  sun's  rays  play  at  hide  and 
seek  with  its  flitting  shadows,  during  April  and  May, 
the  cheerful,  bright,  golden  yellow  blossoms  of  the 
Downy  Yellow  Violet  appear,  like  lingering  flecks 
of  molten  sunshine,  entangled  among  its  fuzzy  stems 
and  leaves.  This  species  is  the  commonest  and  best 
known  of  the  Yellow  Violets.  It  has  a  sprightly, 
upright  and  spirited  air  about  it,  and  is  the  "  Slim  Jim" 
of  its  family,  for  Violets,  as  a  rule,  being  of  the  well- 
regulated  sort  in  domestic  matters,  usually  grow  in 
neatly  grouped  tufts.  The  Downy  Yellow  Violet 
grows  from  five  or  six  inches  to  a  foot  and  a  half  in 
height,  averaging  perhaps  considerably  less  than  a  foot. 

151 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

Its  single  light  green,  hairy  stalk  is  comparatively  stout, 
and  is  ofttimes  branching  above,  with  the  lower  part 
leafless  and  bare.  The  large,  velvety  green  leaves 
are  very  broadly  heart-shaped,  and  before  they  become 
fully  matured,  their  up-curved  lobes  at  the  short  stem 
give  them  the  form  of  a  pointed  scoop.  The  under 
surface  is  of  a  lighter  shade,  and  the  ribs  and  veins 
show  prominently.  The  edges  are  either  entire  or 
slightly  toothed.  After  the  flowering  period,  a  few 
leaves  rise  direct  from  the  base  of  the  stalk,  on  long, 
grooved,  hairy  stems.  The  single  flowers  and  their 
slender  stems  are  relatively  small.  The  two  upper 
pairs  of  the  bright  golden  yellow  petals  are  rounding, 
and  uniform  in  size.  They  are  faintly  marked  with 
purple  lines,  and  when  fully  developed,  often  recurve 
toward  the  hooked  stem,  while  the  short,  lower  petal 
is  notched,  has  stronger  markings,  and  is  slightly 
curved  in  the  opposite  direction.  This  last  petal  is 
also  set  at  an  acute  angle  with  the  lateral  ones.  The 
spur  is  short,  and  the  sepals  are  oblong  and  pointed. 
The  flower  stem  springs  from  the  fork  of  the  widely 
spreading  leaf  stems,  the  angles  of  which  are  guarded 
with  a  pair  of  short,  pointed,  leaf-like  bracts.  This 
Violet  ranges  from  Quebec  to  Manitoba,  and  South 
Dakota,  southward  to  Georgia  and  Iowa. 

SMOOTH    YELLOW  VIOLET 

Viola  scahriuscula.     Violet  Family 

This  species  might  be  confused  with   the   Downy 
Yellow  Violet  at  first  sight.     In  fact,  it  was  formerly 

152 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

considered  a  mere  variety  of  the  latter.  Its  distin- 
guishing features,  however,  are  at  once  sufficiently 
prominent  to  remove  any  doubt  as  to  its  identity.  It 
prefers  moist  situations,  and  is  generally  found  in 
blossom  before  the  Downy  Yellow  Violet.  The  basal 
leaves  are  usually  present  during  the  flowering  season 
The  leaves  are  inclined  to  be  more  pointed  and  often 
sharply  toothed.  The  flowers  are  light  yellow  and 
the  spur  is  very  short.  Several  stems  may  be  found 
growing  together,  and  taken  in  all,  it  is  a  slightly  smaller 
plant.  This  species  grows  in  woods  and  thickets  dur- 
ing April  and  May,  and  its  range  extends  from  Nova 
Scotia  to  Nebraska,  and  south  to  Georgia  and  Florida. 

EVENING     PRIMROSE.      NIGHT    WILLOW=  HERB 

Oenothera  biennis.     Evening  Primrose  Family. 

The  Evening  Primrose  is  commonly  found  in  dry, 
open  fields,  and  along  roadways  everywhere  east  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  from  June  to  October.  The 
large,  bright  yellow  flowers  open  in  the  evening,  and 
after  exhaling  their  fragrance  for  the  benefit  of  the 
night-flying  moths,  they  close  the  following  day,  and, 
after  hanging  withered  for  a  day  or  two  longer,  drop 
away.  Long  before  the  potato  was  universally  cul- 
tivated the  fleshy  root  of  this  plant  was  used  as  a  table 
vegetable.  Years  ago  a  strong  decoction  of  this  plant 
was  highly  esteemed  for  skin  affections,  and  more 
recently  a  drug  extracted  therefrom  has  been  com- 
mended in  cases  of  asthma  and  in  whooping-cough. 
Primrose  ointment  has  been  used  for  relieving  itching 

153 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

and  skin  eruptions  among  infants.  The  rather  stout, 
leafy,  branching  or  simply  hairy  ■  stalk  rises  from 
one  to  nine  feet.  The  strongly  ribbed,  lance-shaped, 
alternating  leaf  tapers  toward  either  end,  and  has  an 
obscurely  toothed  margin.  The  lower  ones  are  short- 
stemmed,  and  the  upper  ones  are  seated  upon  the 
stalk.  Both  leaf  and  stalk  are  often  stained  with 
purple.  The  flower  has  four  flaring,  heart-shaped 
petals,  and  eight  long,  golden-tipped,  and  spreading 
stamens.  The  four  long,  pale  yellow  sepals  curve 
backward  around  the  exceedingly  long  green  calyx 
tube.  The  large  green  seed  case  is  grooved  and  sticky. 
The  flower  buds  are  closely  gathered  in  a  terminal 
arrangement,  and  open  only  one  or  two  at  a  time. 
As  the  flowering  season  nears  the  end,  the  blossoms 
seem  to  remain  open  much  longer  during  the  day,  and 
this  is  attributed  to  the  failing  light  of  the  autumn  sun. 

COMMON  SUNDROPS 

Oenothera  fruticosa.       Evening  Primrose  Family. 

A  common  day-flowering  perennial,  similar  to  the 
Evening  Primrose,  growing  from  one  to  three  feet 
high,  and  usually  branched.  The  sparingly  toothed 
oblong  or  lance-shaped  leaves  are  either  clasping  or 
short-stemmed.  The  hairy  stalk  and  the  closely  set 
alternating  leaves  are  frequently  stained  with  purple. 
The  large  yellow  flowers  are  grouped  in  leafy  ter- 
minal spikes.  The  four  long,  heart-shaped  petals  are 
thin-textured  and  delicately  veined.  The  long  yellow 
stamens  spread  from  the  centre,  and  the  buds  start 

154 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

from  the  axils  of  the  topmost  leaves.  The  seed  case 
is  strongly  ribbed  and  winged.  This  plant  is  found 
from  June  to  August  in  dry,  sandy  soils  from  Nova 
Scotia  to  Georgia,  west  to  Minnesota  and  Louisiana. 
During  the  winter  and  early  spring,  the  beautiful 
leaf  clusters  of  the  Primrose  are  remarkable  for  their 
wonderful  symmetric  arrangement,  and  as  William 
Hamilton  Gibson  has  said,  "are  a  perfect  pattern  for 
the  modeller,  the  sculptor,  decorator,  or  wood-carver." 

EARLY,    OR    GOLDEN    MEADOW    PARSNIP. 
GOLDEN   ALEXANDERS 

7'izia  aurea.     Parsley  Family. 

The  fiat-topped,  yellow-flowered  clusters  of  the 
Early  Meadow  Parsnip  sway  just  above  the  grassy 
crests  in  fields  and  meadows,  along  roadside  and 
swamp  land  from  April  to  June.  It  is  one  of  the 
earliest  flowering  of  the  Parsley  Family.  The  hollow, 
juicy,  upright  stalk,  which  grows  from  one  to  two 
and  a  half  feet  in  height,  is  smooth,  sparingly 
branched,  and  is  finely  grooved.  It  is  often  tinged 
with  red,  and  when  bruised  or  broken  emits  an  aro- 
matic fragrance  not  unlike  parsley  or  fresh  varnish. 
The  leaves,  which  are  sparingly  intervalled,  have  two, 
or  usually  three,  lance-shaped  leaflets  with  slender, 
tapering  tips  and  sharply  toothed  margins.  They 
are  smooth-surfaced  and  thin-textured.  The  lower 
leaves  have  long  stems,  while  those  of  the  upper  ones 
are  flat  and  shorter.  The  tiny  flower  has  five  yellow 
petals  which  are  curved  toward  the  prominent  stamen. 

155 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

They  are  gathered  into  many  little  separated  clusters 
that  in  turn  are  grouped  into  a  broad,  open,  flat-topped 
and  radiating  floral  disk  or  umbel.  It  is  common 
almost  everywhere  from  New  Brunswick  to  Ontario, 
South  Dakota,  Florida,  and  Texas. 

WILD   PARSNIP.     MADNEP.     TANK 

Pastinaca  sativa.     Parsley  Family. 

The  generic  name  of  this  common  Parsnip  is  derived 
from  the  latin  pastus,  meaning  food,  and  alludes  to  the 
edible  qualities  of  the  fleshy  roots,  which,  according 
to  Pliny,  were  cultivated  along  the  Rhine  before  the 
Christian  era,  and  imported  by  the  Roman  Emperor, 
Tiberius,  and  used  as  a  food.  The  Wild  Parsnip 
is  a  tall,  widely  branching,  long  and  thick-rooted 
biennial  herb,  raising  its  tough,  grooved,  and  usually 
smooth  stalk  from  two  to  five  feet  in  height.  The 
alternating,  compound,  dark  green  leaf  has  several 
pairs  of  pointed  oval  or  oblong  leaflets,  which  are  more 
or  less  lobed  and  cut,  and  sharply  toothed.  They 
are  rather  thin-textured  and  smooth-surfaced.  The 
upper  leaves  clasp  the  stalk,  and  the  lower  ones  are  long- 
stemmed.  The  numerous  tiny  yellow  flowers  are 
gathered  in  many  small  clusters  that  are  finally  grouped 
on  slender  stems  in  several,  large,  terminal,  flat-topped 
disks,  similar  to,  but  much  larger  than  the  Early 
or  Meadow  Parsnip.  The  seeds  are  thin,  flat  and 
shiny,  and  the  stalk  is  so  very  tough  that  it  is  broken 
only  with  great  effort,  if  indeed  it  is  to  be  broken  at 
all.     This  Parsnip   is   very   common   along  roadsides 

156 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

and  open  waste  places,  everywhere,  from  June  to  Sep- 
tember, throughout  the  United  States  and  Canada, 
where  it  has  become  naturalized  from  Europe. 

FOUR=LEAVED,   OR  WHORLED     LOOSESTRIFE. 
CROSSWORT 

Lysimachia  quadrifolia.     Primrose  Family. 

Fairies'  Fountain  would  have  been  a  more  deserv- 
ing and  appropriate  name  for  this  pretty  floral  cas- 
cade. During  a  shower  this  allusion  becomes  more 
real  than  fancied,  as  the  attractive  leaves  are  arranged 
in  whorls  or  wheels,  one  above  the  other,  at  regular 
intervals  along  the  slender,  upright  stalk,  just  like 
basins  in  a  fountain,  that  catch  the  drip  from  tip  to 
base.  The  trembling  yellow  flowers,  which  spring 
gracefully  from  the  centre  of  the  green  leafy  basins, 
are  sprayed  in  every  direction,  and  when  the  plant 
sways  in  the  sunshine,  they  glitter  and  sparkle  as  they 
play  over  the  curving  leafy  rims.  The  Four-leaved 
Loosestrife  is  found  from  June  to  August,  in  moist, 
open  woodlands  and  thickets.  The  light  green  stalk 
is  often  faintly  hairy,  and  grows  from  one  to  three  feet 
in  height.  The  toothless,  yellow-green  leaves  are 
narrowly  oblong,  or  lance-shaped,  and  are  pointed  at 
both  ends.  Their  surface  is  obscurely  covered  with 
tiny,  oblong  black  marks  which  follow  the  direction 
of  the  veinings.  The  midrib  is  noticeable  and  the 
texture  is  thin.  They  are  arranged  in  circles  of  from 
three  to  seven,  but  commonly  in  fours,  about  the  stalk, 
and  as  they  approach  the  top  they  gradually  diminish 

157 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

in  size.  The  small,  delicate  flower  has  from  five  to 
seven  long-pointed  and  spreading  lobes.  They  are 
bright  yellow,  edged  with  red,  and  frequently  and 
finely  streaked,  or  sparingly  spotted.  The  five  erect 
yellowish  stamens  are  clustered  around  the  pistil  and 
project  beyond  the  corolla.  They  are  tipped  with 
purple,  and  there  is  a  tiny  circle  of  this  colour  at  their 
base.  The  tips  of  the  five-parted  green  calyx  show 
between  the  corolla  lobes.  The  flowers  are  set  on 
hair-Hke  stems,  one  of  which  starts  from  the  axil  of 
each  leaf.  This  species  is  rather  common  from 
Georgia  and  Illinois  to  Canada. 

BULB=BEARINQ   LOOSESTRIFE 

Lysimachia  terrestris.     Primrose  Family. 

The  long,  slender  yellow  wands  of  this  Loosestrife 
brighten  our  swamps  and  moist  thickets  from  July 
to  September.  The  smooth,  hollow  leafy  stalk  is 
usually  branched  near  the  top,  and  grows  less  than 
two  feet  in  height.  The  long,  narrow,  lance-shaped 
leaves  are  set  in  opposite,  alternating  pairs,  and  are 
thickly  covered  with  tiny,  black,  oblong  dots.  They 
are  thin,  smooth  and  toothless.  After  flowering,  this 
plant  often  bears  long  bulblets  or  curiously  modified 
branches,  in  the  axils  of  the  leaves.  The  yellow 
starlike  flowers  are  very  similar  to  those  of  the  Four- 
leaved  species,  but  the  divisions  are  more  deeply  cut 
and  narrower,  and  the  slender  tips  are  slighdy  cur- 
ling. They  are  conspicuously  lined  and  marked  with 
reddish  dashes,  and  at  the  base  of  each  division  there 

158 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

are  two  reddish  dots.  The  flowers  are  gathered  on 
short,  hairhke  stems,  in  a  long,  terminal  spike,  and 
open  gradually  as  they  ascend  the  stalk.  Long  ago, 
so  it  is  said,  sprays  of  Loosestrife  were  placed  on  the 
yoke  of  unruly  oxen,  with  the  belief  that  it  would 
quiet  and  pacify  them.  This  species  ranges  from 
Georgia  and  Arkansas,  northward  into  Canada. 

BUTTERFLY=WEED.      PLEURIS  Y=ROOT. 
WIND=ROOT.     ORANQE=ROOT 

Asclepias   tuberosa.      Milkweed  Family. 

A  vivid,  penetrating  flash  of  brightest  glowing 
orange  suddenly  greets  us  as  we  cross  the  grassy  fields 
during  July,  and  we  stop  immediately  to  express 
our  admiration  for  this  most  stunning  and  handsome 
of  the  Milkweeds.  It  is  always  so  refreshing  and 
invigorating,  that  we  never  seem  to  tire  of  its  presence. 
It  is  a  lively  bloomer  from  June  to  September,  and 
loves  the  surroundings  of  dry  fields  and  pastures 
where  it  abounds,  to  the  everlasting  joy  of  hosts  of 
butterflies  and  flying  insects  that  are  invariably  asso- 
ciated with  it.  Surely,  it  should  have  been  called  the 
Butterflies'  Mecca!  This  magnificent  herb  has  sev- 
eral medicinal  virtues  attributed  to  it.  It  was  held  in 
high  esteem  by  the  Indians,  who  extracted  a  crude, 
sugar-like  substance  from  the  flowers.  Its  roots  sup- 
plied their  medicine  man  with  material  to  allay  various 
physical  ailments,  and  their  squaws  used  the  young 
green  pods  extensively  for  food,  cooking  them  in  a  sort 
of  meat  stew.     The  Delaware  Indians  are  said  to  have 

159 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD   FLOWERS 

even  cultivated  it.  The  fuzzy  shoots  are  cut  when  a 
few  inches  long,  and  are  boiled  and  eaten  after  the 
manner  of  asparagus.  It  has  also  long  been  used  in 
domestic  practice,  where  it  has  served  in  cases  of  dis- 
ordered digestion,  and  afflictions  of  the  lungs;  to 
relieve  pains  in  the  chest,  and  to  assist  in  producing 
perspiration  and  easier  breathing.  The  root  is  col- 
lected annually  in  the  fall,  and  sold  to  druggists. 
The  stout,  roughish-hairy,  purple-stained  stalk,  which 
is  very  leafy,  grows  from  one  to  two  feet  high,  and 
branches  only  to  accommodate  the  flowers.  It  lacks 
the  abundant  supply  of  milky  juice  so  common  in 
other  Milkweeds.  The  alternating  leaves  are  oblong 
or  lance-shaped,  taper  to  a  rather  blunt  point,  and 
narrow  into  a  rounded  or  heart-shaped  base  where 
they  clasp  the  stalk,  or  are  set  on  short  stems.  The 
midrib  is  prominent,  and  the  margin  is  toothless.  The 
numerous  small  and  long,  bright  orange  or  rarely  yellow 
flowers  are  set  on  slender,  light  green  stems,  arranged 
in  one  or  several  loose,  flat-topped,  terminal  clusters, 
or  umbels.  The  seed  pods  are  more  slender  than  those 
of  the  common  Milkweed,  and  only  one  or  two  are 
produced  at  a  time.  They  have  a  curiously  kinked 
stem.  This  Milkweed  is  found  from  Maine  and 
Ontario  to  Minnesota,   Florida,  Texas,  and  Arizona. 

CITRONELLA.     STONE=ROOT.       HORSE=BALM 

Collinsonia    canadensis.     Mint  Family. 
This  strong-scented,   aromatic,   perennial  grows   in 
rich,    moist    woods,    and    bears    lemon-scented,    light 

1 60 


YELLOW  ADDER'S  TONGUE.      Er)thronium  americanum 


GREAT  MULLEIN 

Verbascum  Thapsus 


EVENING  PRIMROSE 

Oenothera  biennis 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

yellow  flowers,  which  blossom  from  July  to  October. 
The  familiar  oil  of  Citronella,  used  so  extensively 
for  scenting  soaps  and  as  a  mosquito  lotion,  is  produced 
by  an  altogether  different  species,  which  grows  in 
Ceylon.  The  Horse-balm  has  a  stout,  branching  stem 
and  grows  from  two  to  five  feet  tall.  The  coarsely 
toothed,  pointed-oval  or  oblong  leaves  are  either 
narrowed  or  heart-shaped  at  the  base,  and  the  lower 
ones  are  larger  and  slender  stemmed.  They  are 
usually  in  pairs.  The  numerous  flowers  are  arranged 
in  loosely  spreading  and  branching  terminal  clusters. 
Four  of  the  five  lobes  of  the  bell-shaped  corolla  are 
nearly  equal,  and  the  fifth,  which  is  much  larger,  and 
has  a  finely  fringed  edge,  protrudes  like  the  drooping 
lip  of  an  Orchid.  Two  anther-bearing  stamens  and 
the  pistil  extend  far  beyond  the  corolla.  This  plant 
is  found  from  Maine  and  Ontario  to  Wisconsin  and 
south  to  Florida  and  Kansas. 

GREAT  MULLEIN.    VELVET,  OR  MULLEIN    DOCK. 
FLANNEL=LEAF.     AARON'S  ROD 

Verhascum  Thapsus.     Figwort  Family. 

The  Great  Mullein  erects  its  tall,  stiff  shafts  here 
and  there,  like  so  many  floral  lighthouses,  guard- 
ing our  dry  fields  and  rocky  hillsides,  or  guiding 
various  insect  aeroplanists  by  the  irregular  glint  of  its 
constantly  changing  blossoms.  The  Roman  "can- 
delaria,"  a  torch  used  in  funeral  ceremonies,  was  made 
from  dried  Mullein  stalks  dipped  in  melted  suet. 
The  leaves  were  formerly  used  for  lamp  wicks  by  the 

i6i 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

Greeks.  The  hag-taper,  used  in  witchcraft,  was 
made  from  this  plant.  In  domestic  practice,  Mullein 
tea  has  been  long  used  by  country  people  for  reliev- 
ing coughs  and  throat  irritations,  and  the  dried  leaves 
are  smoked  for  the  same  purpose.  When  soaked  in 
oil,  the  leaves  are  used  for  allaying  pain,  and  inflam- 
mations. The  soft,  hairy  leaves  are  also  said  to 
impart  a  desirable  peach-like  glow  to  the  complex- 
ion of  pale  cheeks,  when  rubbed  thereon.  Children 
have  great  fun  playing  Indian  and  using  the  dried 
stalks  as  "spears."  The  usually  single,  leafy  stalk 
rises  from  two  to  seven  feet  high,  from  a  tufted 
rosette  of  leaves.  It  is  round  and  tough,  and  is 
densely  covered  with  whitish,  woolly,  and  branched 
hairs.  The  large,  thick,  velvety,  pale  green,  oblong 
leaves  are  sharply  pointed,  and  narrowed  at  the 
base.  They  are  obscurely  toothed,  and  prominently 
ribbed.  The  basal  leaves  have  broad  stems.  Those 
upon  the  stalk  are  stemless,  narrower,  and  occur 
alternately.  The  light  yellow  wheel-shaped  corolla 
has  five  unequal,  rounded  and  spreading  lobes.  The 
five  protruding  orange-tipped  stamens  are  unequal. 
Three  of  these  are  fuzzy  or  bearded,  and  shorter 
than  the  other  two,  which  are  longer  and  smooth. 
The  pistil  is  green.  The  woolly  green  calyx  is  five- 
parted.  The  flowers  are  densely  crowded  in  pro- 
longed, round,  terminal,  club-shaped  spikes,  and  open, 
two  or  three  at  a  time,  for  one  day's  duration.  The 
leaves  of  the  large  rosette  are  conspicuous  long  before 
the  wand-like  stalk  appears.    This  Mullein  is  common 

162 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

from  Nova  Scotia  to  Minnesota,  Florida,  Kansas  and 
California,  from  June  to  September. 

MOTH  MULLEIN 

Verbascum  Blattarta.      Figwort  Family. 

The  Moth  Mullein  flashes  its  yellow  or  white 
search-lights  this  way  and  that,  over  the  grassy  seas 
of  neglected  pastures  and  fields,  and  along  waysides, 
from  June  to  November.  They  are  singularly  at- 
tractive, these  large,  wheel-like  flowers,  as  they  open 
one  or  two  at  a  time,  and  for  a  day  only.  The 
tall,  slender,  round,  and  often  hairy  stalk  is  usually 
single,  and  grows  from  two  to  six  feet  high.  The 
large,  oblong,  or  lance  -  shaped  leaf  has  a  very 
irregular,  double  -  toothed  margin,  and  is  seldom 
present  during  the  flowering  period.  It  is  thin, 
smooth,  stoutly  ribbed  and  prominently  veined. 
The  arrangement  is  frequent  and  alternating, 
and  the  upper  ones  are  partly  heart  -  shaped  and 
clasping.  The  flowers,  which  are  either  white  or 
yellow,  resemble  those  of  the  Great  Mullein  in  struc- 
ture. The  white  and  yellow  blossoms  are  borne  on 
separate  plants.  They  are  lightly  stained  with  purple. 
The  five  orange-tipped  stamens  are  covered  with 
fuzzy,  purple  hairs.  The  five-parted  green  calyx 
has  slender,  recurved  tips.  The  flowers  are  set  on 
short  stems,  arid  gathered  in  a  very  long,  loose  ter- 
minal spire.  They  are  fragile,  and  easily  drop  from 
the  calyx.  The  bud  is  fiat  and  five-angled.  This 
plant  is  said  to  be  offensive  to  cockroaches.     It  is 

163 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

found  from  Quebec  to  Florida,  and  west  to  Kansas, 
Minnesota,  and  California. 

BUTTER=AND=EQQS.      YELLOW  TOAD=FLAX. 

BRIDE=WEED.      FLAXWEED. 

EQQS-AND=BACON 

Linaria   vulgaris.     Figwort  Family. 

The  beautiful  yellow  and  orange  flower  spikes 
of  this  extremely  common  and  homely  named  per- 
ennial are  too  well  known  and  too  little  appreciated 
to  warrant  an  extended  description.  Its  colour  scheme 
is  "  butter-and-eggs,"  all  right,  at  least  according  to 
the  chemistry  of  the  breakfast  table  and  of  the  kit- 
chen at  baking  time.  This  plant  is  naturalized  in 
this  country  from  Europe,  and  is  supposed  to  possess 
healing  powers  that  country  people  still  regard  with 
much  simple  faith.  The  flowers  have  been  steeped 
and  used  in  cases  of  dropsy,  jaundice,  and  various 
skin  effections.  The  fresh  plant  has  been  bruised 
and  applied  as  a  poultice  on  boils,  and  the  flowers  are 
made  into  an  ointment  that  is  used  for  the  same  pur- 
pose, as  well  as  for  other  skin  eruptions.  In  Germany, 
the  flowers  are  used  as  a  yellow  dye.  Country  folks 
used  the  juice  in  milk  as  a  fly-poison.  It  is  a  very 
leafy  perennial,  having  short  rootstocks,  and  grow- 
ing erect  from  one  to  three  feet  in  height.  The  usually 
single,  slender  stalk  is  round  and  smooth,  light  green 
in  colour,  and  has  a  whitish  bloom.  The  long,  nar- 
row, grass-like  leaves  taper  to  a  point  at  both  ends,  and 
they  clasp  the  stalk  alternately.  The  colour  is  pale 
green,  and  the  midrib  extends  the  entire  length.    The 

164 


BUTTER   AND   EGGS.      TOADFLAX.     Linaria  vulgaris 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

light  yellow,  two-lipped,  tubular  flower  has  a  long, 
sharp,  outward  curved  spur  at  its  base.  The  two 
earlike  lobes  of  the  upper  lip  are  elevated,  and  prettily 
curved  over  the  lower  one.  The  spreading  lower  lip 
has  three  unequal  outward-curving  lobes;  the  centre 
one  being  the  smallest,  and  at  the  throat,  this  lip  has 
a  great,  orange-coloured,  tongue-like  swelling  that 
nearly  closes  the  tube,  and  hides  the  four  unequal 
stamens  and  pistil,  which  are  flattened  against  the 
upper  lip.  The  throat,  which  can  be  seen  by  spread- 
ing apart  the  jaw-like  lips  of  the  flattened  corolla, 
is  lined  with  a  silky  down.  The  light  green,  five- 
parted  calyx  is  very  small.  The  flowers  are  hung 
on  short  stems  springing  from  the  axils  of  the  leaflets, 
and  are  closely  gathered  in  a  dense  terminal  spike. 
This  plant  has  an  unattractive  odour,  and  is  found 
growing  most  everywhere  in  fields,  pastures,  and 
along  roadsides,  ditches  and  banks,  often  in  small 
colonies,  from  June  to  October,  from  Canada  to 
Virginia,  and  Nebraska. 

FERN=LEAVED,   FALSE    FOXGLOVE 

Gerardta    pedicularia.      Figwort  Family. 

A  beautiful  species,  with  handsome,  fern-like  leaves, 
found  in  dry  woods  and  thickets  mostly  along  the 
Atlantic  Coast  States,  during  August  and  September. 
It  is  an  annual  or  biennial  plant,  and  is  rather  sticky, 
hairy  and  much-branched.  The  very  leafy,  round, 
slender  stalk  grows  from  one  to  four  feet  high.  The 
soft,  downy,  light  green  leaves  are  set  in  pairs  upon 

165 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

the  stalk.  They  are  deeply  cleft  into  many-toothed 
lobes,  and  are  usually  stemless  and  broadest  at  the 
base.  The  classic  calyx  matches  the  leaves,  and  the 
beautiful,  light  yellow,  tubular  flowers  resemble  those 
of  the  Downy  False  Foxglove,  The  bell-shaped 
corolla,  however,  is  particularly  hairy  and  sticky  on  the 
outside.  The  flowers  are  set  on  short,  curving  stems 
that  spring  from  the  axils  of  the  leaves.  They  are 
frequently  arranged  in  pairs  toward  the  ends  of  the 
branches.  This  species  is  partly  parasitic,  and  often  its 
own  roots  clasp  themselves,  as  well  as  those  of  other 
plants  from  which  they  absorb  nourishment.  The 
flowers  and  foliage  droop  miserably  when  plucked,  and 
are  difficult  to  revive.  They  are  found  from  Maine  and 
Ontario,  to  Minnesota,  south  to  Florida  and  Missouri. 

DOWNY  FALSE  FOXGLOVE 

Gerardia   flava.     Figwort  Family. 

This  species  is  partly  parasitic,  absorbing  part  of 
its  nourishment  from  the  roots  of  other  plants  with 
which  its  own  roots  come  in  contact.  The  lovely 
large,  yellow,  deeply  tubed  flowers  are  very  showy, 
and  blossom  during  July  and  August  in  dry,  open 
woods  and  thickets.  It  is  a  downy,  grayish  perennial, 
growing  from  two  to  four  feet  high,  and  is  leafy  and 
usually  unbranched.  The  square,  hollow  stalk  is 
quite  brittle,  and  when  fully  flowered,  it  often  assumes 
a  slanting  position,  due,  probably,  to  its  top-heaviness, 
and  on  account  of  the  buds  and  blossoms  flaring  to 
one  side.     The  thick,  velvety,  yellow-green  leaves  are 

i66 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

borne  in  opposite  pairs,  which  are  set  alternately 
upon  the  stalk  with  short,  purple-stained  stems. 
They  are  generally  oblong  or  lance-shaped,  with  a 
tapering  tip,  and  are  narrowed  at  the  base,  with 
their  entire  margins  tinged  with  purple.  The  lower 
leaves  are  sometimes  irregularly  lobed  and  toothed, 
or  wavy-edged,  and  the  upper  ones  are  much  smaller 
and  clasping.  The  prominent  midrib  is  stained  with 
purple.  The  pale  yellow  flowers  are  funnel-shaped, 
with  five  rounded,  spreading  lobes,  which  are  fulled 
in  the  centre,  forming  curled  edges.  The  two  upper 
lobes  curve  forward,  and  the  three  lower  ones  curve 
backward.  The  texture  is  finely  wrinkled  and  veined. 
The  four  yellow  stamens  —  two  long  and  two  short  — 
together  with  the  inner  surface  of  the  corolla  tube, 
are  covered  with  fine  hairs.  The  tips  of  the  stamens 
have  a  pair  of  sharp  points  on  the  lower  side.  The 
pistil  is  green.  The  five-parted,  woolly  green,  bell- 
shaped  calyx  has  recurving  tips.  The  bud  is  notice- 
ably round  on  the  top,  and  is  very  glossy.  They  are 
tinted  with  green.  The  beautiful  flowers  are  crowded 
on  the  stalk  in  a  lovely  terminal,  leafy  spike,  sev- 
eral blooming  at  the  same  time.  This  Foxglove  is 
found  from  Maine  to  Ontario,  Wisconsin,  and  Iowa, 
south  to  New  York,  Georgia  and  Mississippi. 

NARROW=LEAVED    COW=WHEAT 

Melampyrum  lineare.      Figwort  Family. 

An  inconspicuous,  low-growing  annual  found  from 
May  to  August,  in  dry  open  woods  and  thickets.     The 

167 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

branching,  hairy  and  leafy  stalk  rises  from  six  inches 
to  a  foot  or  so  in  height.  The  toothless,  short-stemmed, 
lance-shaped  leaves  are  taper-pointed  and  narrowed 
at  the  base.  They  occur  in  opposite  pairs,  and  the 
topmost  frequently  have  from  two  to  six  bristle-like 
teeth  near  the  base.  The  midrib  is  noticeable,  and 
the  edge  is  rough  to  the  touch.  The  small  tubular, 
greenish  yellow  flowers  are  set  singly  in  the  axil  of  the 
upper  leaves.  The  corolla  is  two-lipped.  The  upper 
lip  is  arched,  and  the  lower  one  is  three-lobed  and 
spreading  and  is  tinted  with  yellow.  This  Cow- 
wheat  is  very  common  and  is  found  growing  in  favour- 
able places  from  Canada  to  Georgia,  Tennessee  and 
Iowa. 

YELLOW  BEDSTRAW.     LADY'S  BEDSTRAW. 
CHEESE=RENNET.      BEDFLOWER. 
FLEAWORT. 

Galium  verum.     Madder  Family. 

The  name  Bedstraw  alludes  to  the  legend  in  which 
one  of  these  plants  was  found  among  the  hay  on 
which  Mary,  the  Mother  of  Jesus,  rested.  This 
yellow-flowered  species  has  been  introduced  from 
Europe,  and  is  found  from  May  to  September  in  dry 
fields  locally  from  Maine  to  New  Jersey,  Pennsyl- 
vania and  Ontario.  The  bruised  plant  is  sometimes 
introduced  into  milk,  in  order  to  impart  a  yellow 
colour  to  cheese.  It  is  also  used  for  dying  yellow. 
The  roots  of  this,  as  well  as  those  of  most  other  species, 
dye  red,  and  when  the  plant  is  eaten  by  animals,  it 
colours    the   bones,    like    madder.     It    was    formerly 

j68 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

reputed  as  a  remedy  in  fits  and  hysterics,  and  the  fresh 
juice  was  applied  externally  for  skin  disorders.  The 
Yellow  Bedstraw  is  a  single  or  branched  perennial 
growing  from  six  to  thirty  inches  high.  The  stem  is 
usually  smooth,  and  the  narrow  leaves  are  arranged  in 
whorls  of  sixes  or  eights.  The  numerous  yellow 
flowers  are  gathered  in  small,  dense  terminal  clusters, 
or  set  at  the  axils  of  the  leaves. 

GOLDEN    ASTER 

Chrysopsts  mariana.     Thistle  Family. 

The  beautiful  golden  heads  of  this  Aster-like  species 
are  generally  common  during  August  and  September, 
along  the  Atlantic  Coast.  The  stout  stalk  branches 
at  the  top  for  the  flowers.  It  is  covered  with  long, 
weak,  silky  hairs  when  young,  and  becomes  much 
smoother  as  the  season  advances.  It  grows  perennially 
from  one  to  two  and  a  half  feet  in  height.  The  acutely 
pointed  upper  leaves  are  oblong  or  lance-shaped, 
and  clasp  the  stalk.  The  lower  ones  are  narrowed 
into  short  stems  and  are  broadest  toward  the  tip. 
They  are  hairy  and  veiny,  and  their  margins  are 
usually  toothless.  The  rather  large  flower  head  is 
composed  of  both  ray  and  disc  florets,  which  are  held 
in  a  bell-shaped  cup  of  overlapping  green  bractlets. 
They  are  commonly  numerous,  and  are  loosely  gathered 
on  slender  stems,  which  spring  from  the  axils  of  leaflets 
and  form  loose,  showy,  flat-topped  clusters.  The 
Golden  Aster  prefers  dry  soil  in  fields  and  open  wood- 
lands,  from  New  York   to   Florida  and    Louisiana. 

169 


YELLOW  AND  OR.'^GE  WILD    FLOWERS 

There  are  about  twenty  species  of  this  group  found 
in  North  America  and  Mexico. 

THE  QOLDEN=RODS 

Solidago.      Thistle  Family. 

Heralding  the  advent  of  the  final,  and  most  gor- 
geous floral  pageant  of  the  year,  the  monotoned 
Golden-rods  literally  romp  over  everything  that  is 
rompable  from  valley  to  peak.  They  form  a  most 
conspicuous  and  truly  regal  escort  for  their  consorts, 
those  bewildering  hosts  of  starry  Asters  which,  in 
eager  haste,  strive  to  overtake  them.     Thoreau  wrote : 

"  The  sun  has  shone  on  the  earth, 
And  the  Golden-rod  is  his  fruit. 
The  stars,  too,  have  shone  on  it, 
And  the  Asters  are  their  fruit." 

The  Golden-rods  may  represent  the  main  crop  of  the 
''sun's  fruit,"  but  surely  the  Dandelion  and  Buttercup, 
in  fact  a  hundred  others  for  that  matter,  of  this  cloth- 
of-gold,  are  entided  to  some  consideration  in  this 
conclusion.  The  Golden-rod  is  so  very  well  and 
familiarly  known  that  it  requires  little,  if  any,  intro- 
duction. There  are  upward  of  eighty  species,  per- 
haps more,  in  the  United  States,  and  besides,  there 
are  many  hybrids  —  intergrades  —  which  make  them 
extremely  difi&cult  to  distinguish  as  distinct  species. 
We  Americans  hold  a  certain  natural  affinity  toward 
this  purely  native-bred  beauty,  and  it  is  pretty  generally 
conceded  to  be  the  favourite  for  our  national  flower. 
It    has    already  been  adopted   as   the   State    flower 

170 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

of  Alaban.a,  Kentucky,  Maryland,  and  Nebraska. 
The  scientific  generic  name,  Solidago,  signifies  to  join, 
or  make  whole,  and  alludes  to  the  healing  qualities, 
which  this  plant  was  formerly  supposed  to  possess, 
when  applied  to  wounds.  One  hundred  year  ago  the 
Golden-rod  was  regularly  exported  to  China,  where 
it  commanded  a  high  price.  Sheep  will  forage  upon  it. 
Golden-rods  grow  in  greatest  profusion,  and  are  exceed- 
ingly socialistic;  numerous  species  occurring  in  the 
same  community.  Casual  observers,  however,  seldom 
realize  that  several  widely  differing  species  invariably 
make  up  the  various  masses  of  yellow,  which  they  pass 
afield  or  by  the  wayside,  as  Golden-rod.  Time  and 
again  I  have  amazed  those  whom  I  have  accompanied 
out  of  doors  during  September,  by  calling  their  atten- 
tion to  the  number  of  different  varieties  of  Golden-rod 
about  them.  F.  Schuyler  Matthews  records  finding 
no  less  than  fifteen  well  defined  species  within  a  quar- 
ter-mile length  of  road  in  New  Hampshire.  As  the 
flower  clusters  fade  they  become  hoary,  and  the  seeds, 
tipped  with  fine,  feathery  hairs,  somewhat  after  the 
manner  of  the  Dandelion  seeds,  are  wafted  by  the 
winds  in  every  direction.  During  the  winter  when 
other  food  is  scarce,  the  seeds  of  the  Golden-rod  are 
sought  by  the  goldfinch  and  song  sparrow.  The 
following  species  are  most  likely  to  be  found 
growing  more  or  less  commonly  throughout  our 
range,  and  they  will  become  a  satisfactory  group 
about  which  to  establish  other  species,  which  are 
sure  to  be  found  most  everywhere.     All  have  yellow 

171 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

flowers    excepting    one,   which   is   called    Silver  -  rod, 
from  its  white  or  cream-coloured  spikes. 

BLUE-STEMMED,  WREATHED,  OR  WOODLAND 
QOLDEN=ROD 

Solidago    caesta.     Thistle  Family. 

This  very  slender,  curving,  leafy  and  smooth-stem- 
med species  is  characterized  by  the  bluish  or  purple 
bloom  of  its  stalk,  which  grows  from  one  to  three 
feet  high.  The  thin-textured,  oblong  or  lance-shaped, 
feathery-veined  leaves  taper  toward  either  end,  and 
are  sharply  pointed.  The  margins  are  sharply  toothed, 
and  the  midrib  is  distinct.  They  are  arranged  alter- 
nately upon  the  stalk,  and  at  short  intervals.  The 
yellow  flowers  are  wreathed  in  pretty  clusters  all  along 
the  stalks  in  the  axils  of  the  leaves.  Like  most  of 
its  kind,  this  species  has  a  top-heavy  appearance,  a 
peculiarity  which  often  causes  the  stem  to  curve 
gracefully  under  its  golden  weight.  It  is  found 
commonly  during  August,  September  and  Octo- 
ber, in  and  about  moist,  shaded  woods  and 
thickets  of  a  deciduous  nature,  from  Manitoba 
and  Ontario  to  Minnesota,  Florida,  Alabama  and 
Texas.  The  Blue-stemmed  Golden-rod  is  probably 
the  latest  blooming  species  of  the  year. 

ZIG-ZAG,  OR  BROAD-LEAVED  GOLDEN-ROD 

Solidago   latifhlia.     Thistle    Family. 

This  species  is  readily  distinguished  by  its  usually 
single,  zig-zagged  or  angular,  green  stem,   and  also 

172 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

by  its  broad  oval,  yellowish  green  leaves.  The  latter 
have  short  stems  and  a  very  strongly  and  sharply 
toothed  margin,  and  acutely  pointed  tips.  Some- 
times the  upper  leaves  graduate  into  smooth  edged, 
lance-shaped  formations.  Otherwise  the  plant  has, 
in  a  general  way,  many  of  the  characteristics  of  the  pre- 
ceding species,  and  the  light  yellow  flowers  are  set 
quite  the  same.  The  prolonged,  slender,  leafy  stem 
does  not  seem  to  be  strong  enough  to  hold  itself 
erect,  and  it  is  more  apt  to  be  found  in  a  reclining 
or  bending  position.  It  prefers  the  shadows  of 
rich,  open,  wooded  banks  from  New  Brunswick 
to  Georgia,  and  to  Minnesota  and  Missouri,  from 
late  July  to  early  October. 

WHITE  QOLDEN=ROD.     SILVER-ROD 

Solidago  bicolor.     Thistle  Family. 

It  requires  more  than  a  passing  glance  to  recog- 
nize this  hoary  albino  as  a  Golden-rod,  when  one  meets 
with  it  for  the  first  time.  The  flowers  are  cream- 
coloured  or  almost  white,  and  the  stalk  and  foliage 
have  a  grayish  aspect,  due  to  a  fine  hairy  growth  upon 
their  surfaces.  The  unusual  colour  of  the  flowers 
often  fools  one  who  has  not  yet  become  acquainted 
with  its  one  dominant  peculiarity.  But  once  dis- 
tinguished, it  need  never  become  confused,  since  it 
is  the  only  one  of  its  genus  that  is  not  yellow.  The 
rather  stout  stem  is  either  simple  or  branched,  and 
grows  from  six  inches  to  four  feet  in  height,  and  is 
often  stained  with  purple.    The  dark  green,  feather- 

173 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

veined  leaves  are  toothed  and  stemmed.  They  are 
nearly  paddle-shaped  at  the  base  of  the  stalk,  and 
graduate  to  lance-shaped  with  modified  margins 
toward  the  top,  where  they  mingle  with  the  flowers. 
They  are  more  or  less  hairy.  This  species  is  truly 
a  Silver-rod.  It  is  too  erect  and  stiff  to  be  graceful, 
but  its  terminal  spike  is  evenly  studded  all  around  with 
the  little  short  clusters  of  whitish  flowers,  relieved 
here  and  there  by  a  tiny  green  leaflet,  and  is  unusual 
if  not  attractive.  From  five  to  fourteen  small  white 
ray  flowers  surround  the  cream-coloured  centre  of  disc 
flowers.  The  Silver-rod  prefers  dry  soils,  where  it 
blossoms  from  August  to  October.  It  ranges  from 
New  Brunswick  to  Georgia,  and  west  to  Ontario, 
Minnesota,  and  Missouri. 

BOG  GOLDEN=ROD 

Solid  ago  uliginosa.      Thistle  Family. 

Think  of  this  pretty  flash  of  yellow  spending  its  life 
among  the  bogs  and  in  dismal  swamps,  even  in  New- 
foundland! One  imagines  it  to  be  the  nun  of  the 
family,  sacrificing  a  conventional  life  to  brighten 
those  lonely,  desolate  wastes.  Or,  are  they  Nature's 
beacon  lights  intended  to  guide  the  straggling  and 
wayward  insects  and  butterflies  that  have  vainly  sought 
some  Will-o'-the-Wisp  in  these  same  dreary  places. 
It  raises  its  single,  smooth,  stout  stem  from  two  to 
four  feet  in  height.  Its  thick-textured  leaves  are  lance- 
shaped,  and  they  decrease  in  size  as  they  approach 
the  top  of  the  stalk.    The  basal  leaves  are  sometimes 

174 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

a  foot  in  length,  and  they  taper  into  long,  winged 
petioles  or  stems,  that  partly  clasp  the  stalk.  The 
margins  are  more  or  less  toothed  or  even  entire.  The 
bright  yellow  flowers  are  thickly  crowded  on  their 
little  stems,  and  form  a  compact,  oblong  and  cylin- 
drical, terminal  spike.  It  is  distributed  along  the  wet 
shores  and  bogs  from  Newfoundland  and  northern 
New  Jersey,  to  western  Ontario,  Minnesota,  and 
Wisconsin;  also  in  the  mountains  of  North  Carolina, 
during  August  and  September. 

SHOWY,  OR  NOBLE  aOLDEN=ROD 

Solidago  speciosa.     Thistle  Family, 

This  is  one  of  the  most  striking  and  fascinating 
of  its  genus.  The  large,  round,  usually  single  stalk 
raises  its  magnificent  golden  plume  anywhere  from 
three  to  seven  feet  in  height.  Neither  is  there  any- 
thing mussy  or  fussy  in  the  makeup  of  this  stately 
beauty.  It  is  remarkably  clean-cut  and  well-groomed 
in  every  detail.  The  smooth-surfaced  and  rough- 
edged  olive-green  leaves  are  rather  thick  and  firm- 
textured,  and  they  alternate  on  the  stalk.  You  can 
detect  this  plant  instantly  by  its  leaves,  because  they 
are  so  different  from  the  general  run  of  its  kind.  The 
lower  leaves  are  oblong  and  pointed,  and  they  taper 
toward  the  base  into  margined  stems.  As  they  ascend 
the  stalk,  they  become  smaller,  and  graduate  into 
lance-shaped  leaflets,  that  finally  disappear  as  they 
mingle  with  the  great  floral  head.  The  stalk  is  often 
stained  with  red,  and  adds  much  to  the  general  appear- 

175 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD   FLOWERS 

ance  of  the  plant.  The  flowers  are  closely  set  on 
numerous,  ascending,  slender,  branch-like  stems  of 
unequal  lengths.  These  stems  are  pyramided  until 
they  form  a  compact,  but  graceful,  cone-shaped 
mass  of  clear  yellow.  The  protruding  stamens  of 
the  disc  flowers  lend  a  finished  touch  that  is  well 
nigh  irresistible  in  its  attractiveness.  The  showy 
Golden-rod  prospers  in  rich,  well-drained  soil  near 
open  woods  and  thickets,  where  several  healthy 
stalks  rise  from  a  small  circle  about  the  same  clump 
of  roots.  It  is  found  locally  during  September  and 
October  from  the  New  England  States  to  Minne- 
sota southward. 

SEASIDE,   OR  SALT  MARSH  GOLDEN=ROD 

Solidago   sempervirens.      Thistle  Family. 

This  tall  and  lovely  maritime  species  skirts  the 
Atlantic  Coast  from  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence  to  Florida 
and  Mexico.  It  is  also  found  in  Bermuda.  From 
August  to  December  it  flourishes  wherever  sandy  soil 
and  brackish  waters  abound,  illuminating  the  salt 
marshes,  sea-beaches  and  rocky  shores  near  the  sea 
or  along  tidal  waters  adjacent  thereto,  with  the  bril- 
liance of  its  rich,  golden  yellow  torch.  It  is  easily 
distinguished  by  its  smooth,  stout,  usually  single  stalk, 
which  rises  from  two  to  eight  feet  in  height,  and  also 
by  its  thick,  fleshy,  smooth-edged,  slightly  clasping, 
lance-shaped,  bright  green  leaves,  showing  from  two 
to  five  lateral  veins.  The  basal  leaves  are  oblong  and 
paddle-shaped,    and    taper    into    long    stems.    The 

176 


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FOUR-LEAVED,    or  WHORLED  LOOSESTRIFE.       Lysimachia   quadrifolia 


BUTTERFLY-WEED.     Afclepias  tuberosa 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

flowers  are  rather  large,  and  have  from  seven  to  ten 
rays.  They  are  thickly  grouped  on  short,  spreading, 
recurved  stems,  many  of  which  form  a  large,  showy, 
terminal,  leafy  plume.  This  charming  species  inspired 
Celia  Thaxter,  who  wrote : 

"  Graceful,  tossing  plumes  of  glowing  gold, 
Waving  lonely  on  the  rocky  ledge; 
Leaning  seaward,  lovely  to  behold, 

Clinging  to  the  high  cliff's  ragged  edge." 

EARLY,  PLUME    OR    SHARP=TOOTHED    GOLDEN- 
ROD.      YELLOW=TOP 

Solidago   juncea.     Thistle  Family. 

This  species  is  one  of  the  earliest  and  latest,  as  well 
as  one  of  the  handsomest  and  commonest  of  its  genus. 
Its  smooth,  round,  rather  stout,  rigid  and  light  green 
stalk  rises  to  an  average  of  two  feet  in  height.  Near 
the  top  it  branches  into  numerous  long,  slender,  droop- 
ing extensions,  along  the  upper  side  of  which,  near  the 
tips,  the  golden-yellow  flowers  are  densely  crowded. 
The  rays  number  from  eight  to  twelve,  and  are  very 
small.  The  long-oval,  pointed,  lower  leaves  have 
sharply  defined,  spreading  teeth,  and  are  narrowed 
into  winged  stems.  The  upper  leaves  are  long  and 
narrow,  and  taper  toward  either  end,  with  more  or 
less  entire  margins.  Their  surface  is  smooth,  and 
they  are  slightly  triple-veined.  Small  leaflets  spring 
from  the  angles  of  the  leaves,  which  alternate  on  the 
stalk.  The  dried  plumes  are  commonly  used  for 
decorating  in  farm  and  country  houses.  Yellow-top 
is  found  in  dry  or  rocky  soil  in  copses  and  banks  from 

177 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

New  Brunswick  to  Hudson  Bay,   and  Manitoba  to 
North  Carolina  and  Missouri,  from  June  to  November. 

SWEET,  OR  ANISE=SCENTED  QOLDEN=ROD. 
BLUE  MOUNTAIN  TEA 

Solidago    odora.     Thistle  Family. 

The  bruised  foliage  of  this  species  diffuses  a  pleas- 
ant and  lasting  anise-like  fragrance  which  instantly 
reveals  its  identity.  It  yields  a  volatile  oil,  and  at 
one  time  the  dried  leaves  and  flowers  were  steeped 
like  tea,  and  used  for  medicinal  purposes.  Its 
smooth,  toothless,  bright  green  leaves  are  long  and 
narrow,  and  are  conspicuously  dotted  with  minute, 
transparent  specks.  They  are  thin-textured,  and 
have  a  prominent  midrib.  The  slender,  simple  stem 
rises  from  two  to  four  feet  high,  and  is  often  reclin- 
ing. The  flowers  are  small  and  unattractive,  and 
have  three  to  four  rays.  They  are  arranged  on 
small  spreading  stems  in  a  loose,  one-sided,  plume- 
like terminal  head.  This  species  frequents  the  borders 
of  thickets  in  dry  or  sandy  soil  from  southern  New 
Hampshire  and  Vermont  to  Florida,  and  west  to 
Texas  and  Missouri,  from  July  to  September.  It  is 
common  in  the  pine  barrens  of  New  Jersey. 

ELM=LEAVED  GOLDEN=ROD 

Solidago  ulmifolia.     Thistle  Family. 

This  common,  slender  and  smooth-stemmed  Golden- 
rod  is  characterized  by  the  strong  resemblance  of 
its  leaves  to  those  of  the  Elm  tree.     They  are  thin- 

178 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

textured,  and  the  margins  are  coarsely  and  sharply 
toothed.  They  are  long-oblong,  or  lance-shaped, 
and  pointed  and  tapering  to  the  base,  loosely  veined, 
and  usually  velvety  to  the  touch  on  the  under  side. 
The  smooth  stalk  becomes  hairy  toward  the  top, 
where  it  branches  loosely  into  several  slender,  leafy, 
recurving  and  spreading  stems,  along  one  side,  of  which 
near  the  tips,  are  set  the  little  yellow  flowers.  The 
latter  have  about  four  rays.  This  species  selects  the 
broken  shadows  of  dry  rocky  woods  and  copses, 
from  Maine  to  Georgia,  and  west  to  Minnesota  and 
Texas,  from  July  to  September. 

WRINKLE=LEAVED,  OR  TALL    HAIRY   GOLDEN- 
ROD.     BITTERWEED 

Solidago   rugosa.      Thistle   Family. 

A  very  hairy  and  rough  species,  growing  from  one 
to  seven  feet  high,  and  usually  found  in  fields  and 
along  fences  and  roadsides  from  July  to  November. 
The  straight,  stout,  long-haired  stalk  is  crowded  with 
sharply  toothed,  long-oblong,  and  lance-shaped  leaves, 
that  taper  at  the  base,  and  are  thinly  textured,  and 
loosely  veined.  They  are  very  hairy,  particularly 
so  on  the  under  side,  and  are  slightly  wrinkled.  The 
flowers  are  set  on  one-sided  stems  which  are  grouped 
in  a  spreading  leafy  head,  formed  by  the  erect  branch- 
ing of  the  stalk  at  this  point.  The  ray  flowers  number 
from  six  to  nine,  and  the  disc  flowers  from  four  to  seven. 
This  species  is  very  variable,  and  ranges  from  New- 
foundland and  Ontario  to  Florida  and  Texas.    Cattle,  as 

179 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD   FLOWERS 

a  rule,  avoid  the  Golden-rods  as  a  steady  diet,  and  are 
particularly  keen  to  avoid  this  rough  Bitterweed. 

GRAY,  OR  FIELD  GOLDEN=ROD.      DYER'S  WEED 

Soltdago  nemoralis.     Thistle  Family. 

This  common  species  raises  its  slender,  ashy-gray 
stalk  from  six  inches  to  two  feet  high.  It  is  single, 
very  leafy,  and  covered  with  minute  whitish  hairs. 
It  has  been  considered  one  of  the  most  brilliant  of 
its  kind,  on  account  of  its  exceedingly  rich,  yellow 
flowers.  It  is  a  low-growing  plant,  and  is  somewhat 
late  to  appear  in  flower.  The  thick,  roughish  leaves 
are  three-ribbed,  and  the  lower  ones  are  broadest  and 
taper  into  stems.  As  they  mount  the  stalk,  they  gradu- 
ate rapidly  into  long,  narrow-pointed  affairs,  and 
their  margins  are  slightly  toothed.  The  pretty,  five 
to  nine  rayed  flowers  are  set  on  little  recurving  stems 
toward  the  top  of  the  stalk,  forming  a  close,  suc- 
ceeding series  of  fiat-topped,  leafy  clusters  that  finally 
compose  the  beautiful,  one-sided  plume.  This  plant 
is  found  in  fields  and  dry  roadsides,  from  July  to 
November.  It  ranges  from  Quebec  and  the  Northwest 
Territory  to  Florida,  Texas,  and  Arizona. 

CANADA  GOLDEN-ROD.      YELLOW=WEED 

Soltdago  canadensis.     Thistle  Family. 

Here  is  a  feather  duster  of  glowing  gold,  and  a  close 
rival  of  the  elegant  Showy  or  Noble  Golden-rod.  It 
is  probably  the  largest,  showiest,  and  most  common 
of    them    all  —  if    not,    indeed,    the    handsomest.     It 

i8o 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

is  exceedingly  democratic,  and  grows  vigorously 
wherever  it  elects  to  drop  a  root.  In  thickets  and 
rich,  open  soils  it  is  at  its  best,  although  it  blossoms 
serenely  in  dry  soil  in  fields,  and  along  dusty  roadsides, 
from  July  to  October.  The  tall,  stout,  rough  stem  is 
thickly  covered  with  minute  hairs,  and  grows  from 
three  to  eight  feet  high.  At  the  top  it  branches  in 
every  direction,  with  slender,  drooping,  pyramiding 
stems  that  are  broadly  and  thickly  set  on  the  upper 
side,  with  the  tiny,  bright  yellow,  three  to  seven 
rayed  flowers.  The  stalk  is  crowded  with  the 
narrow,  tapering,  thin-textured  and  sharply  toothed, 
long,  three -veined  leaves.  The  basal  leaves  are 
broader,  and  have  slender  stems.  They  are 
usually  smooth  above  and  finely  hairy  beneath. 
Canada  Golden-rod  flourishes  from  Newfoundland 
to  the  Northwest  Territory,  and  British  Columbia 
southward   to  Florida  and  Arizona. 

BUSHY,  OR  FRAGRANT  QOLDEN=ROD 

Soltdago  graminifolia.     Thistle  Family. 

This  species  differs  so  much  from  the  true  Golden- 
rods,  Solidago,  with  which  it  is  classed,  that  many 
botanists  regard  it  as  the  leading  type  of  a  separate 
and  new  genus,  Eulhamia,  a  Greek  word  referring  to 
its  clustered  heads.  The  crushed  leaves  and  flowers 
are  fragrant.  This,  together  with  its  flat  top  has  often 
caused  it  to  be  mistaken  for  Tansy.  Its  slender,  leafy, 
green  stalk  branches  widely  at  the  top.  It  is  occasion- 
ally rough  to  the  touch,  and  grows  from  two  to  four 

i8i 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

feet  high.  The  long  and  very  narrow  grass-like 
leaves  taper  toward  either  end,  and  their  margins 
are  entire,  but  very  rough.  They  are  very  small, 
and  thin-textured,  grayish-green  in  colour,  and  show 
three  or  five  ribs.  The  flowers  are  very  small  and  are 
closely  grouped  in  small,  round  clusters  at  the  tips  of 
the  projecting,  wiry  branches,  which  are  so  graduated 
in  length  as  to  form  a  flat-topped,  flowering  head. 
The  whole  top  is  very  free  and  open,  and  has  a  neat, 
trim  appearance.  The  flowers  are  light  coloured, 
and  have  from  twelve  to  twenty  very  short  ray  flowers. 
This  plant  is  found  in  moist  soil  in  fields  and  along 
roadsides,  from  July  to  October.  It  ranges  from 
New  Brunswick  to  the  Northwest  Territory,  south  to 
Florida,  Nebraska,  and  Missouri. 

ELECAMPANE.     HORSEHEAL.     YELLOW 
STARWORT 

Inula  Helenium.     Thistle  Family. 

Hippocrates,  the  Greek  physician,  known  as  the 
"Father  of  Medicine,"  over  two  thousand  years  ago, 
considered  this  plant  important  as  a  brain  and  stomach 
stimulant,  and  it  has  been  used  ever  since  for  various 
ailments.  The  country  housewife  has  great  faith  in 
its  virtues,  and  her  Elecampane  tea  is  still  used 
for  coughs  and  colds,  and  as  a  general  tonic.  It  has 
also  been  used  as  an  antiseptic  in  surgery.  Farmers 
use  the  large,  mucilaginous  roots  to  advantage  in 
treating  sick  horses.  The  stout,  usually  unbranched, 
leafy  stalk  grows  from  two  to  six  feet  in  height.    The 

182 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

large,  curving,  alternating  leaf  is  broadly  oblong  and 
pointed.  It  is  rough  above  and  downy  beneath; 
finely  toothed,  strongly  ribbed,  thick-textured,  and 
clasps  the  stalk,  often  with  a  pair  of  flaring  lobes. 
The  larger,  lower  leaves  taper  toward  either  end,  and 
are  set  on  slender  stems.  The  solitary,  large,  yellow 
flower  heads  are  set  on  the  top  of  stout,  terminal, 
single  leafed  stems,  and  are  supported  with  a  small, 
single  leaf,  which  is  set  close  to  their  shallow  green 
cups.  The  numerous  tubular  florets  are  set  in  a  large, 
flat  disc,  and  are  surrounded  with  a  fringe  of  many 
long,  narrow,  curving  spreading  rays.  Elecampane 
is  found  along  roadsides,  fence  rows,  and  in  fields, 
from  July  to  September,  from  Nova  Scotia,  Ontario, 
and  Minnesota,  south  to  North  Carolina  and  Missouri. 

BLACK=EYED=SUSAN.    YELLOW  DAISY.    NIQQER= 
HEAD.     GOLDEN  JERUSALEM.  CORNFLOWER 

Rudheckia  h'lrta.     Thistle  Family 

The  lively  orange  and  black  heads  of  these  thrifty, 
conspicuous  flowers  seem  to  accelerate  the  grandeur 
of  our  fields  and  meadows  from  May  to  September, 
where  they  flaunt  their  Princeton  colours  with  a  vigour 
that  the  farmer  beholds  with  contempt,  because  he 
cannot  capitalize  their  beauty  along  with  his  hay. 
The  slender,  hairy  stems  are  tough,  usually  unbranched, 
sparingly  leaved,  and  grow  from  one  to  three  feet  high. 
Often  several  stems  occur  in  a  tuft.  The  Ions:,  nar- 
row,  pointed  leaves  have  a  rough,  hairy  surface,  and 
partly  clasp  the  stem.     They  have  a  strong    midrib, 

183 


YELLOW   AND   ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

are  rather  loose-textured,  and  the  margins  are  fre- 
quently slightly  notched  with  low  teeth.  The  flower 
heads  are  few  or  solitary.  The  tiny  disc  florets  are 
densely  packed  in  a  purple  brown,  cone-shaped  head, 
that  has  a  smooth,  silky  sheen  when  newly  opened. 
They  are  surrounded  at  the  base  with  from  ten  to 
twenty  long,  narrow,  orange-yellow  rays.  They 
are  notched  at  the  tips,  and  have  two  faint 
parallel  veins  running  their  length.  The  flower 
head  is  supported  with  an  overlapping,  triple-rowed, 
green  mat,  which  terminates  the  stem.  They  are 
found  in  dry,  open,  sunny  fields,  from  Canada  to 
Florida,  Colorado,  and  Texas. 

COMMON   SUNFLOWER.     LARABELL 

Helianthus  dnnuus.     Thisde  Family. 

The  Sunflowers  are  native  to  this  country,  and  this 
species  is  extensively  cultivated  in  Russia,  India, 
Turkey,  Egypt,  Germany,  Italy,  France  and  China, 
as  well  as  here,  for  the  production  of  fixed  oil  con- 
tained in  the  seed.  This  oil  is  said  to  make  an  excel- 
lent salad  dressing  and  to  be  one  of  the  best  burning- 
oils  known.  The  stalk,  when  treated  as  is  flax,  yields 
a  long,  fine  fibre,  which  is  said  to  be  used  in  China 
for  the  adulteration  of  silk.  The  Sunflower  is  bcHeved 
by  some  to  ward  off  the  effects  of  malarial  fevers,  and 
in  Caucasus  malarial  patients  are  wrapped  in  sheets 
saturated  with  milk,  and  covered  with  the  leaves  of 
this  plant.  The  Pah  Ute  Indians  are  said  to  be  very 
fond  of  Sunflower  seeds  as  food.     The  seeds  are  ped- 

184 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

died  about  the  streets  of  Russia,  like  peanuts,  except 
they  are  eaten  raw.  The  Sunflower  also  yields  a  by- 
product used  in  making  soap  and  candles.  The 
stems  and  heads  make  an  excellent  paper,  and  are  used 
for  fuel.  The  seeds  are  also  used  as  food  for  parrots 
and  for  fattening  poultry  and  swine.  The  foliage 
has  been  used  for  fodder,  and  the  flowers  yield  honey 
and  also  a  yellow  dye.  The  tall,  stout,  rough,  hairy 
stalk  is  leafy,  and  branches  at  the  top.  It  grows 
annually  from  three  to  six  feet  high,  or  in  cultivated 
forms,  sometimes  fifteen  feet  high.  The  large,  alter- 
nating, long-stemmed  leaves  are  broadly  oval  with  a 
tapering  tip;  strongly  three-nerved,  coarsely  toothed, 
and  rough  on  both  sides.  The  lowxr  ones  are  often 
heart-shaped.  The  flower  heads  of  the  wild  species, 
which  measure  from  three  to  six  inches  broad,  are 
composed  of  numerous  dark  purple  or  brown  tubular 
disc  florets,  surrounded  by  a  row  of  long,  curving, 
flaring  yellow  rays,  contained  in  a  flat  green  mat 
edged  with  several  rows  of  pointed  green  parts.  They 
terminate  the  stalk  and  stout  stems  springing  from  the 
axils  of  the  leaves.  The  Wild  Sunflower  is  found 
from  July  to  September,  in  rich  soils,  from  Minne- 
sota to  the  Northwest  Territory,  Missouri,  and  Texas 
and  California.  Occasionally  it  is  found  in  waste 
ground  eastward,  where  it  has  escaped  from  gardens. 
The  generic  name  is  from  helios,  the  sun,  and 
anthos,  a  flower.  The  heads  face  the  sun,  and  usually 
turn  in  its  direction.  There  are  about  sixty  species 
belonging  to  this  group  which  are  native  to  our  hemis- 

185 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD   FLOWERS 

phere.     Of   this   number    about   forty   are   found   in 
North  America. 

TALL,  OR  GIANT  SUNFLOWER 

Heltanthus  giganteus.     Thistle  Family. 

A  tall  perennial  species,  with  a  rough,  hairy,  purple- 
stained  stalk  rising  from  three  to  twelve  feet  high  from 
fleshy,  creeping,  edible  roots,  and  are  either  single  or 
branching  at  the  top.  The  firm-textured,  taper-pointed, 
lance-shaped  leaves  are  very  rough  above,  and  rough 
hairy  beneath.  They  are  narrowed  at  the  base,  and  are 
set  on  short  stems  or  clasp  the  stalk.  The  margins  are 
finely  toothed  or  entire.  Many  or  all  of  the  upper  leaves 
are  alternate,  but  sometimes  they  all  are  paired.  Usually 
several  flower  heads  are  borne  on  long,  terminal  stems, 
and  are  often  two  and  a  half  inches  broad.  The  yel- 
lowish disc  florets  are  surrounded  with  from  ten  to 
twenty  pale  yellow  rays,  and  are  held  together  in  a  deep 
green,  half  round  cup.  This  Sunflower  is  found  in  low 
thickets,  swamps,'  and  wet  meadows  from  August  to 
October,  from  Maine  and  Ontario  to  the  Northwest  Ter- 
ritory, and  south  to  Florida,  Nebraska  and  Louisiana. 
A  more  northern  variety  of  this  species  develops 
tuberous  roots,  and  because  they  are  used  as  food 
by  the  Indians,  they  are  known  as  Indian  potatoes. 

JERUSALEM  ARTICHOKE.      EARTH  APPLE. 
CANADA  POTATO 

Heltanthus  tuberosus.     Thistle  Family. 

Long  before  Columbus  set  foot  on  our  shores,  the 
native  Indians  cultivated  this  species  for  its   thick, 

i86 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

tuberous  roots,  which  they  used  for  food.  It  is  still 
frequently  raised  for  similar  purposes.  The  roots  are 
tender  and  of  fine  flavour,  and  are  eaten  either  raw, 
or  cooked.  They  also  make  a  popular  relish  when 
pickled.  The  tall,  stout,  leafy,  hairy  stalk  grows 
perennially  from  six  to  twelve  feet  high,  and  branches 
at  the  top.  The  large,  rather  long-stemmed,  triple- 
ribbed,  pointed-oblong  leaves  have  toothed  margins 
and  hairy  surfaces.  The  upper  ones  are  alternate, 
and  the  lower  ones  are  paired.  The  brilliant  flower 
heads  are  several  or  numerous,  and  are  set  in  green, 
leafy,  half-round  cups,  and  are  composed  of  numer- 
ous small,  yellow,  tubular  disc  flowers,  fringed  with 
from  ten  to  twenty  long,  flaring,  rich,  yellow  rays. 
Few  or  several  flower  heads  are  set  on  the  tips  of  the 
terminal  branches.  This  species  prefers  moist  soil,  and 
is  found  along  fences,  roadsides,  and  thickets  during 
September  and  October,  and  ranges  from  Georgia  and 
Arkansas  to  Canada. 

BEQQAR=TICKS.       STICK=TIQHT.        STICK=WEED. 

RAYLESS  MARIGOLD.      PITCH=FORKS. 

COMMON   BUR  MARIGOLD 

BtJens  frondosa.     Thistle   Family. 

Bidens  means  two  teeth,  and  refers  to  the  two 
sharp  prongs  of  the  flat,  brown  seed  of  this  species, 
which  attaches  itself  to  everything  in  the  line  of  cloth- 
ing or  wool  that  happens  to  brush  against  it.  They 
will  not  shake  off,  either,  and  their  removal  requires 
the  most  patient  and  exacting  effort,  as  anyone  who 
has  roamed  the  fields  in  the  fall  can  testify.     The 

187 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

tall,  annual,  erect,  very  leafy  stalk  grows  from  two  to 
nine  or  ten  feet  high,  and  branches  in  pairs.  It  is 
usually  smooth  and  hollow,  and  often  stained  with 
purple.  The  thin,  sharply  toothed,  slender-stemmed 
leaves  are  divided  into  three  or  five  lance-shaped  parts 
which  are  tapered  toward  the  apex  and  narrowed  at 
the  base.  They  are  set  on  short,  ribbed  stems,  that 
unite  with  the  stalk  in  pairs  with  a  noticeable  clasping 
joint,  from  the  axils  of  which  spring  the  curving 
flower  stems.  The  very  small,  ragged,  rayless,  brist- 
ling flower  heads  are  homely  and  unattractive.  The 
two  or  three  dull  yellow  ray  flowers  are  very  incon- 
spicuous, if  any,  and  the  brownish  yellow  tubular 
florets  of  the  central  head  are  tightly  packed  together. 
The  head  is  surrounded  with  several  narrow  leafy 
bracts  of  various  lengths,  and  several  heads  are  clus- 
tered in  a  loose  terminal  group.  Beggar-ticks  are 
exceedingly  common,  and  aside  from  their  affectionate 
stickers,  they  are  an  uninteresting  plant.  They  are  found 
everywhere  in  moist  places,  and  along  roadsides  and 
railroad  ditches,  from  July  to  October,  and  range 
from  Nova  Scotia  to  Florida.  British  Columbia, 
Nebraska,  and  Texas. 

SNEEZEWEED.   SWAMP  SUNFLOWER. 
YELLOW  STAR.      OX=EYE 

Helenium  autiimnale.     Thistle  Family. 

During  September  the  bright    yellow    blossoms    of 

the    Sneezeweed    illuminate    the    low    meadows     and 

swamps  from  one  end  of  the  country  to  the  other.     The 

stout,  branching  stalk  rises  from  two  to  six    feet    in 

i88 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

height.  The  firm,  pointed,  oblong  or  lance-shaped 
bright  green  leaves  are  sharply  toothed  and  alter- 
nating. They  possess  a  bitter  taste,  and  when  dried 
and  powdered  into  snuff,  produce  violent  sneezing. 
The  foliage  is  believed  to  impart  a  bitter  taste  to  milk, 
when  cows  forage  upon  it.  The  numerous  large 
flower  heads  are  borne  on  long  stems  in  loose,  spread- 
ing, rather  fiat-topped,  terminal  clusters.  From  ten 
to  eighteen  spreading  and  drooping  ray  florets,  with 
three  cleft  tips  surround  the  yellow  or  yellow-brown 
globular  disk  of  tubular  florets.  The  Swamp  Sun- 
flower is  found  from  Quebec  to  Florida,  and  west  to 
the  Northwest  Territory  and  Arizona,  and  blooms 
from  August  to  October. 

TANSY.      BITTER   BUTTONS.      HINDHEEL. 
QINQER=PLANT 

Tanacetum  vulghre.     Thisde  Family. 

Tansy  was  one  of  the  good  old  "standbys"  of  our 
grandmothers'  time,  and  was  relied  upon  to  cure  any- 
thing and  everything  in  the  way  of  bodily  ills  that 
happened  to  disturb  any  member  of  the  household, 
down  on  the  farm.  It  was  also  one  of  the  favourite 
plants  in  the  flower  beds  that  used  to  decorate  the 
grass  plots  about  our  dear  old  homesteads.  Its  dried 
leaves  were  formerly  used  for  flavouring  or  season- 
ing various  dishes,  particularly  puddings  and  omelets. 
Tansy  tea  was  also  in  great  favour  as  a  domestic  tonic 
and  stimulant,  and  is  still  used  for  various  ailments  of 
the  stomach  and  liver.  It  is  also  used  locally  for 
relieving  pain  in  muscular  rheumatism  and  bruises. 

189 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

Frivolous  damsels  of  the  sixteenth  century  soaked 
Tansy  leaves  in  buttermilk  for  nine  days,  and  used 
the  liquid  for  improving  their  complexions.  Bunches 
of  Tansy  are  hung  about  the  house,  and  its  presence 
is  said  to  be  very  effectual  in  keeping  flies  out  of  the 
rooms.  Thoreau  says  that  it  was  used  in  connection 
with  funerals.  The  round,  smooth,  upright  stalk  is 
leafy,  and  branches  at  the  top.  It  grows  from  one  and 
a  half  to  three  feet  high,  from  a  perennial  root.  The 
strongly  scented,  curling,  dark  green  leaves  are  very 
deeply  cleft  into  numerous  narrow,  lance-shaped  sec- 
tions, which  are  sharply  cut  and  toothed.  They  are 
bitter  and  aromatic.  The  flower  head  resembles 
the  yellow  button  or  disc  of  a  Daisy  after  the  white 
ray  flowers  have  been  removed.  The  numerous 
tiny,  yellow,  tubular  florets  are  tightly  packed  into  a 
small,  flat  head,  which  is  slightly  hollowed  in  the 
centre.  The  heads  are  set  into  shallow,  greenish 
cups,  on  short  stems,  many  of  which  are  closely 
grouped  into  several  large,  dense,  terminal,  flat- 
topped  clusters.  Their  odour  is  noticeable  for  a 
considerable  distance.  Tansy  came  to  us  from 
Europe  and  grows  along  road-sides  from  July  to 
September,  where  it  has  escaped  from  gardens.  It 
is  found  from  North  Carolina  and  Missouri  to  Canada. 

COLTSFOOT.     COUQHWORT 

Tussilago  Farfara.     Thistle  Family. 

This  is  the  same  Coltsfoot  that  our  grandmothers 
used  to  gather  and  dry  and  hang  in  the  garret  along 

190 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

with  their  Boneset,  Catnip,  Goldthread,  and  a  various 
assortment  of  garden  herbs.  Coltsfoot  was  con- 
siderably used  at  one  time  as  a  family  remedy  for 
coughs  and  colds,  and  many  a  steaming  cupful  has 
been  sipped  by  country  people  for  this  purpose.  Its 
Latin  name,  an  old  one  used  by  Pliny,  is  derived  from 
tussis,  a  cough,  and  ago,  alluding  to  the  medicinal 
use  of  the  leaves.  The  ancients  smoked  the  leaves  of 
Coltsfoot  for  relief  in  cases  of  asthma.  Its  fresh 
juice  has  been  used  for  affections  of  the  skin,  and  in 
Germany  the  dried  leaves  are  said  to  be  used  as  a 
substitute  for  smoking  tobacco.  The  flowers  of  the 
Coltsfoot  look  something  like  those  of  an  imperfectly 
developed,  or  half-opened  Dandelion,  but  where  the 
flower  heads  of  the  Dandelion  are  slightly  tufted  or 
raised  toward  the  centre,  those  of  the  Coltsfoot  are 
cupped  or  hollowed,  more  like  an  Aster,  with  a  finely 
fringed  edge.  The  rather  large,  solitary  flower  is 
borne  on  a  thick,  hollow,  light  green  stem,  rising 
direct  from  the  long,  slender,  creeping  perennial  root 
from  four  to  eighteen  inches  in  height.  It  is  usually 
stained  with  red  and  is  covered  with  numerous  scale- 
like and  alternating  leaflets.  The  light  yellow  flower 
head  is  of  a  lighter  shade  than  that  of  the  Dandelion, 
and  is  set  in  a  deep,  leafy,  thimble-shaped  green  cup. 
It  is  composed  of  many  ray  and  disc  florets  —  an 
arrangement  fully  explained  in  the  description  of  the 
Asters.  The  ray  florets  are  fringe-like,  and  the  small 
disc  florets  are  five-parted.  They  have  an  agreeable 
odour,   and  as  they  fade,   they   turn   to   red-brown, 

191 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

They  close  at  noon  in  the  hot  sun.  These  flowers  are 
usually  in  bloom  before  the  Dandelions.  The  leaves 
do  not  appear  until  after  the  flowers  have  matured. 
At  first  they  are  rounded  and  heart-shaped,  but  fin- 
ally become  larger  and  more  angled.  Their  surface 
is  soft  and  cottony,  and  is  strongly  marked  with  ribs 
and  veinings.  They  are  thin-textured,  and  their 
margins  are  more  or  less  toothed.  They  are  silvery 
on  the  under  side,  and  are  set  on  long,  grooved  stems 
that  rise  from  the  rootstock.  Coltsfoot  may  be  found 
from  April  to  June,  from  Nova  Scotia  and  New  Bruns- 
wick to  Massachusetts,  New  York  and  Minnesota, 
where  it  has  become  naturalized  from  Europe.  It 
prefers  moist  banks  along  roadways  and  streams. 

GOLDEN  RAGWORT.      LIFE=ROOT.     SWAMP 
SQUAW=WEED.       FALSE   VALERIAN 

Sanecio  aureus.     Thistle    Family. 

The  attractive,  rich,  golden-yellow  flowers  of  this 
Daisy-like  perennial  appear  in  May  and  June  in 
moist  meadows  and  thickets,  and  in  swamps.  It  is 
strikingly  clean  cut  and  beautiful.  The  slender, 
usually  smooth,  upright  stalk  is  hollow  and  sparingly 
leafy.  It  is  angular  and  twisting  in  growth,  and  rises 
from  one  to  two  and  a  half  feet  in  height,  solitary  or 
tufted,  from  a  strong-scented  root.  The  lower  leaves 
are  long  stemmed,  and  are  long,  rounding,  heart- 
shaped,  with  scallop-toothed  edges.  Those  on  the 
stalk  are  partly  clasping,  and  are  lance-shaped  and 
deeply  cut  and  notched.  The  foliage  is  smooth  and 
thin,  and  together  with  the  stalk  is  often  stained  with 

192 


DOWNY  FALSE  FOXGLOVE.     Gerardia  flava 


GOLDEN  ASTER.     Chrysopsis  raariana 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

purple.  The  flower  heads  have  many  tiny,  deep  yellow, 
star-shaped  florets,  that  are  closely  tufted  with  a  flaring 
fringe  of  from  eight  to  twelve  short,  recurved  deep  yellow 
ray  flowers,  loosely  set  around  and  just  below  them.  The 
ray  flowers  are  finely  grooved,  and  their  tips  are  slightly 
notched.  They  are  all  set  in  a  deep,  smooth  yellow-green 
cup,  and  several  heads,  perhaps  a  dozen,  are  comfortably 
gathered  in  a  somewhat  flat-topped  terminal  cluster. 
The  roots  are  used  in  medicine.  Senico  is  derived  from 
the  Latin,  Senex,  an  old  man,  and  refers  to  the  silky 
white  hairs  that  succeed  the  flower.  This  Ragwort 
is  found  from  Canada  to  Florida,  and  Texas. 

DWARF   DANDELION 

Krigia  virginica.     Chicory  Family. 

A  small  annual,  bearing  tiny,  deep  yellow  or  light 
orange-coloured  flowers  on  long,  slender,  naked  stems, 
that  rise  from  one  to  fifteen  inches  in  height.  The 
flowers  resemble  in  miniature,  those  of  the  Dandelion. 
They  close  at  night,  and  when  the  seed  is  ripe,  they  again 
resemble,  on  a  small  scale,  the  "blow-head "  of  the  latter. 
Several  stems  rise  from  the  pretty  little  circular  tuft  of 
long,  narrow  leaves,  and  have  a  remote  likeness  to  those 
of  the  Dandelion.  They  are  found  from  April  to  August, 
in  dry,  sandy  soil,  from  Texas  and  Florida  to  Canada. 

DANDELION.      BLOWBALL.      LION'S=TOOTH 
CANKERWORT.      IRISH      DAISY 

Taraxacum  officinale.     Chicory  Family. 

The  Dandelion,  like  the  Daisy,  scarcely  needs  to  be 
described.     It  is  known  from  one  end  of  our  great 

193 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD   FLOWERS 

country  to  the  other,  and,  notwithstanding  its  exceeding 
abundance,  the  first  bright,  solitary  flowers  are  always 
a  welcome  sight  in  the  spring.  Children  love  to  split 
the  smooth,  hollow  flower  stem  with  their  tongues, 
and  make  long,  spiral  curls  and  ribbons.  They  also  use 
them  for  blowing  soap-bubbles,  and  for  sipping  water 
from  a  spring,  or  by  blowing  through  them,  produce 
funny  noises.  They  have  rare  fun  foretelling  the 
number  of  children  they  may  have,  or  even  the  time 
of  day,  by  the  number  of  puffs  it  takes  to  remove  the 
downy  fluff  from  the  round,  fuzzy  white  heads  when 
the  flower  has  gone  to  seed.  In  the  spring,  the  leaves 
are  gathered  and  eaten  in  immense  quantities  like 
spinach,  or  as  a  salad,  by  the  immigrant  Italians  who 
unwittingly,  have  established  an  excellent  and  popular 
relish  now  served  in  our  homes  and  hotels,  and  which 
is  pronounced  by  epicures  to  be  a  most  wholesome 
and  appetizing  salad.  The  root  is  ground  and  roasted, 
and  used  like  coffee.  The  root  and  leaves  are  also  used 
as  a  popular  remedy  for  liver  complaints,  and  for 
dyspepsia;  also  as  a  spring  tonic.  The  thick,  bitter 
root  is  sometimes  twenty  inches  long,  and  grows  deeply 
in  the  ground.  The  long,  and  extremely  variable 
narrow  leaf  is  irregular,  and  unequally  toothed  and 
notched  with  the  wavy,  jagged  points  inclined  toward 
the  stem.  Its  smooth  surface  is  divided  with  a  wide, 
thick,  pale  green  midrib.  Ofttimes  the  leaves  resemble 
in  outline  a  series  of  triangles  or  arrow  heads.  They 
taper  toward  the  base  into  narrow  winged  stems  that 
curve  to  form  a  pretty  flat  rosette.     As  the  thick,  green 

194 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

bud  opens,  the  numerous  deep  yellow  florets,  which  are 
rolled  lengthwise  into  tiny,  hollow  tubes  gradually 
unfold,  and  become  strap-shaped,  with  their  square 
tips  finely  toothed.  The  outer  ones  open  first  and 
curve  gracefully  backward,  until  finally,  the  beau- 
tiful flower  head  assumes,  when  at  its  best,  the  shape 
of  a  flat,  round  and  nearly  semi-circular  golden  tuft 
of  overlapping  parts.  They  are  held  in  a  cup  of  many 
narrow,  dark  green,  leafy  bracts,  and  set  singly  on  the 
tip  of  the  long,  tube-like  stem.  They  open  widest  in 
the  bright  sun,  and  partly  close  at  night.  The  plant 
contains  a  bitterish,  milky  juice  that  exudes  freely 
when  any  part  is  broken,  and  which  stains  the  hands. 
As  the  flowers  fade,  they  are  succeeded  by  a  round, 
gray  ball  of  light,  feathery  plumes,  to  which  are  attached 
the  tiny  seeds.  The  Dandelion  is  found  in  blossom 
the  year  round.  While  I  am  writing  this  description 
to-day,  the  third  of  January,  in  the  vicinity  of  New 
York,  my  notes  are  supplemented  with  a  freshly  opened 
blossom,  which  I  have  just  picked  from  the  lawn  of  our 
suburban  home.  Dandelion  is  an  obscure  name,  but 
is  generally  believed  to  be  a  corruption  of  the  French 
dent-de-lion,  meaning  lion's  tooth,  and  refers  to  the 
outline  of  the  leaf  which  is  said  to  resemble  that  of  the 
teeth  in  a  lion's  jaw. 

COMMON  SOW  THISTLE.     HARE'S  LETTUCE. 
MILK   THISTLE 

Sonchus  oleraceus.     Chicory  Family. 

A  tall  and  usually  single-stalked  annual,   naturalized 

from  Europe,  and  growing  from  one  to  ten  feet  high, 

195 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

from  a  fibrous  root.  The  smooth,  hollow,  grooved 
stalk  is  leafy  below,  and  contains  a  milky  juice.  The 
large  leaves  are  very  decorative,  and  are  used  as  a 
salad  and  as  a  pot  herb.  They  are  Dandelion-like, 
smooth,  shining  and  clasp  the  stalk  with  a  heart- 
shaped  vase.  They  are  sharply  cut  into  several  irre- 
gular, misshapen  triangles  that  succeed  each  other 
closely.  Their  wavy  margins  are  toothed  or  edged 
with  soft,  weak  spines.  Other  leaves  are  lance- 
shaped  with  smooth  margins.  They  alternate  along 
the  stalk,  and  have  a  stout  midrib.  The  lower  leaves 
are  stemmed.  Hare's  Lettuce  became  a  popular 
name  for  this  plant  because  the  large  leaves  afforded 
shelter  for  that  animal,  and,  according  to  "Grete 
Herbale,"  "if  the  hare  come  under  it,  he  is  sure  that 
no  beaste  can  touch  hym."  The  small,  pale  yellow, 
flat-topped  flower  heads  are  loosely  arranged  in  a 
spreading,  terminal  cluster.  The  numerous  fluffy 
florets  are  set  in  a  green,  vase-shaped  cup.  The  Sow 
Thistle  is  a  common  plant  everywhere  in  fields,  and 
along  roadways  and  fence  rows  from  May  to  November. 

SPRING,   OR  SHARP=FRINQED   SOW  THISTLE 

Sonchus  asper.     Chicory  Family. 

An  annual  species,  similar  to  the  Common  Sow 
Thistle.  The  lower  leaves  are  pointed  paddle-shaped, 
and  taper  into  a  narrow  stem.  The  upper  leaves  are 
gracefully  arched  and  slightly  folded,  with  irregular 
wavy  margins  that  are  thistle-like  and  fringed  with 
many  rather  weak,  spine-like  points.     They  clasp  the 

196 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

stalk  in  a  pleasing  manner  with  a  noticeable  pair 
of  rounded,  flaring,  ear-like  lobes,  and  they  are  thin, 
smooth  and  shining.  They  were  formerly  used  as  a 
pot  herb.  The  hght  yellow.  Thistle-like  flower  heads 
are  few  or  numerous,  and  are  arranged  similar  to  the 
above  species.  They  are  succeeded  with  a  fluffy 
down.  The  remarkable,  highly  decorative  leafage 
of  this  plant  really  demands  a  more  deserving  name 
than  the  one  now  bestowed  upon  it.  The  spring 
Sow  Thistle  is  found  from  May  to  November,  and  is 
common  throughout  most  of  our  area  in  waste  places 
everywhere. 

WILD,  OR  TALL  LETTUCE.     WILD  OPIUM. 

TRUMPET  WEED.        FIREWEED. 

TRUMPET  MILKWEED 

Lactuca  canadensis.     Chicory  Family. 

The  common,  and  noticeably  tall,  leafy  stalk  of 
the  Wild  Lettuce  raises  its  unattractive,  pale  yellow 
flowers  anywhere  from  three  to  ten  feet  high,  in  moist, 
open  places,  usually  along  our  roadsides,  from  June 
to  November.  This  milky-juiced  plant  is  annual 
or  biennial,  and  is  smooth,  and  branches  loosely  at 
the  top  to  accommodate  the  flowers.  The  leaves 
are  exceedingly  variable  in  size  and  shape.  The 
lower  ones  are  sometimes  a  foot  long,  and  are  very 
irregularly  cut,  gouged,  and  wavy-lobed,  and  as  they 
mount  the  stalk  they  become  more  regular,  and  are 
finally  often  lance-shaped  and  entire.  The  rays  of  the 
numerous  small  flower  heads  are  strap-shaped,  and 
are  set  in  a  little  green,  vase-shaped  cup.     The  flowers 

197 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

are  succeeded  by  conspicuous  silky  heads  of  down. 
The  plant  has  a  vigorous  growth,  and  is  rather  coarse- 
looking.  The  generic  name  is  derived  from  the 
ancient  Latin,  lac-milk,  and  refers  to  the  milky  juice 
of  the  stalk  and  foliage.  Lettuce  has  been  known  and 
used  as  a  salad  from  a  very  remote  period,  and  the 
Persian  kings  are  said  to  have  had  it  served  on  their 
tables,  four  or  five  hundred  years  before  the  Christian 
era.  The  wild  plants  are  often  gathered  for  salad. 
The  ancients  believed  that  Lettuce  produced  sleep, 
and  it  is  claimed  to  possess  the  calming  properties  of 
opium.  It  has  been  used  to  allay  cough  and  to  quiet 
nervous  irritation.  In  France,  a  water  distilled  from 
the  leaves  is  used  for  its  soothing  effects.  The  fresh 
leaves,  when  boiled,  are  sometimes  used  in  relieving 
convulsions.  The  Wild  Lettuce  is  found  from  Georgia, 
Alabama,  Louisiana,  and  Arkansas,  north  to  Canada. 
There  are  nearly  one  hundred  members  of  this  group 
distributed  throughout  North  America  and  some  of 
them  are  difficult  to  distinguish. 

HAIRY,   OR   RED  WOOD   LETTUCE 

Lactuca  hirsuta.     Chicory  Family. 

This  is  a  smaller,  less  leafy,  and  usually  hairy  species, 
growing  generally  in  dry  soils  from  one  to  six  feet 
high.  The  hollow  stalk  is  usually  stained  with  red. 
The  rays  of  the  flowers  are  reddish  yellow,  and  the 
blossoms  are  borne  in  a  loose,  branching,  terminal 
cluster.  The  leaves  are  more  deeply  and  narrowly 
cut  than  those  of  the  preceding.     This  plant  is  found 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

from   June    to   September,   from    Maine    to   Ontario, 
Minnesota,  Alabama,  and  Texas. 

ORANGE,    OR    TAWNY      HAWKWEED.      GOLDEN 

MOUSE=EAR    HAWKWEED.       GRIM  THE 

COLLIER.      DEVIL'S  PAINT  BRUSH 

Hieracium  auranttacum.     Chicory  Family. 

The  orange-coloured  flowers  and  grimy  stem  will 
always  keep  this  attractive  Hawkweed  from  becom- 
ing confused  with  any  of  the  yellow-flowered  species. 
It  has  become  naturalized  here,  and  came  from  Europe. 
The  generic  name  is  derived  from  the  Greek,  hierax, 
a  hawk,  because  the  ancients  thought  that  these  birds 
sharpened  their  eyesight  by  feeding  on  these  plants. 
The  slender,  round,  grooved  stalk  rises  from  six 
to  twenty  inches  from  a  rosette  of  leaves.  It  is  quite 
naked,  excepting  for  one  or  two  small  stemless  leaves, 
which  it  bears  near  the  ground.  Its  green  colour 
is  obscured  by  numerous,  dull  brownish  hairs  with 
which  it  is  begrimed.  The  long  oval,  tufted  leaves 
are  narrowed  at  the  base,  and  are  toothless.  They 
are  covered  with  long,  whitish  hairs.  The  flower 
head  is  composed  of  numerous  short,  yellow-centred, 
orange-red,  five-toothed,  overlapping,  strap-shaped 
florets  that  curve  outward  from  the  centre.  The 
green  cup  is  covered  with  the  dark  hairs.  Several 
heads  are  rather  closely  grouped  on  short  stems  in 
a  terminal  cluster  at  the  top  of  the  stalk.  Grim  the 
Collier  is  a  popular  English  name  for  this  Hawkweed 
and  applies  to  the  general  grimy  or  sooty  appearance 

199 


YELLOW  AND  ORANGE  WILD    FLOWERS 

of  the  stalk.  It  is  found  in  fields,  woods,  and  along 
roadsides,  from  June  to  August,  from  eastern  Can- 
ada to  Pennsylvania. 

RATTLESNAKE=WEED.      POOR      ROBIN'S      PLAN= 
TAIN.   VEIN=LEAF.   HAWKWEED.   HAWKBIT 

Hieracium  venosum.      Chicory  Family. 

There  is  no  mistaking  the  Common  Rattlesnake- 
weed  when  you  find  the  small  rosette  of  purple-veined 
leaves.  That  they  have  an  uncanny,  snaky  something 
or  another  about  them  cannot  be  denied,  and  it  is 
probably  all  due  to  their  decorative  veinings.  I  have 
heard  time  and  again  that  this  leaf  was  used  as  a  remedy 
for  snake  bites,  but  never  have  succeeded  in  meeting 
anyone  who  had  actually  used  it  for  such  purpose. 
The  juice  is  supposed  by  some  people  to  have  the  power 
of  removing  warts.  The  long,  slender  stalk  is  often 
solitary,  and  rises  out  of  the  leafy  tuft,  from  one  to 
three  feet  in  height.  It  is  smooth  and  leafless,  or 
occasionally  with  one  or  two  leaves  seated  upon  it. 
The  foot  leaves  are  long  oval,  with  a  pointed  tip,  and 
taper  toward  the  base.  The  wide,  flat  midrib  is 
hairy  on  the  under  side.  The  usually  toothless  mar- 
gins are  fringed  with  fine  hairs,  and  the  colour  is  light 
green.  The  small,  light  yellow  flowers  are  somewhat 
like  those  of  the  Dandelion,  but  the  disc  is  more  ragged, 
fewer-flowered  and  less  dense.  The  strap-shaped 
florets  have  a  finely  notched,  square  tip,  and  from 
fifteen  to  forty  are  set  in  a  small,  light  green  cup. 
They  are  set  on  the  tips  of  the  forks,  and  form  a  loose, 

200 


WILD  FLOWERS  yellow  and  orange 

scrawly,  few-flowered  cluster.  They  are  found  in  dry, 
open,  rocky  woods  and  thickets  from  May  to  October, 
from  Georgia,  Kentucky,  and  Nebraska  to    Canada. 

HAIRY   HAWKWEED 

Hteracium  Gronovti. 

This  slender,  wand-like  Hawkweed  grows  from 
one  to  three  feet  in  height.  The  stem  is  stiff,  hairy,  and 
sometimes  nearly  leafless.  The  long  oval  basal  leaves 
are  either  entire  or  toothed,  and  are  usually  narrowed 
into  short  stems.  The  upper  leaves  are  oblong  or 
oval,  and  all  are  rough,  hairy,  and  strongly  ribbed. 
The  stalk  forks  at  the  top  to  receive  the  numerous 
yellow.  Dandelion-like  flowers.  The  flowers  open 
only  in  the  bright  sun,  and  wilt  immediately  when 
plucked.  They  are  found  from  July  to  September, 
in  dry  locations,  from  Florida  and  Louisiana  to  Massa- 
chusetts, Illinois  and  Ontario. 


20I 


LEAF  AND  ROOT  FORMS 


Section  IV 
WHITE  AND  GREENISH  FLOWERS 


203 


BROAD=LEAVED    ARROWHEAD 

Sagtttarta  latifolia.     Water-plantain  Family. 

THE  Arrowhead  is  a  very  decorative  and  common, 
mud-loving,  white-flowered  aquatic  perennial, 
blooming  from  July  to  September,  in  shallow  water 
along  the  margins  of  slow  streams,  ponds,  and  marshes. 
The  exceedingly  variable  leaves  are  generally  arrow- 
shaped,  sometimes  sharp  and  narrow,  or  again  blunt 
and  broad.  They  are  thick,  spongy,  and  rubbery, 
and  have  long  stems.  Others,  which  are  entirely 
submerged  under  the  water,  are  long  and  grass-like. 
The  many-angled,  milky-juiced,  flowering  stalk  is  either 
stout  or  slender,  and  grows  from  a  few  inches  to  sev- 
eral feet  in  height.  The  flowers  have  three  prom- 
inent, rounded,  spreading,  white  petals  with  either  a 
central  cluster  of  golden  yellow  stamens  or  a  large, 
green  pistil.  They  are  of  two  sorts,  male  and  female, 
and  may  or  may  not  occur  together  on  the  same  plant. 
In  the  latter  case,  the  pretty  male,  or  yellow-centred, 
stamen-bearing  flowers  are  borne  on  the  upper  part  of 
the  stalk,  while  the  female  or  green-centred,  pistil- 
bearing  flowers  occur  below  them.  They  are  arranged 
in  whorls  of  three,  on  short  stems,  at  regular  dis- 
tances along  the  stalk.  The  calyx  has  three  green 
parts.  The  Arrowhead  ranges  from  Mexico  far  into 
the  British  Possessions,  and  from  the  Atlantic  to  the 
Pacific.     S.  pubescens  is  a  robust,  broad  leaved  variety, 

205 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD    FLOWERS 

with  a  shorter  calyx,  and  is  more  or  less  hairy.  It  is 
found  from  Ontario  to  New  Jersey,  Florida  and  Ala- 
bama. 

AMERICAN  WHITE  HELLEBORE.      INDIAN 
POKE.      ITCH=WEED 

Viratrum  vtride.     Lily  Family. 

In  rich,  moist  woods,  swamps,  and  wet  meadows, 
and  usually  associated  with  the  Skunk  Cabbage  and 
Marsh  Marigold,  the  rank-growing  foliage  of  the 
Hellebore  flourishes  with  a  tropical  vigorousness. 
The  stout,  leafy  stalk  rises  from  two  to  eight  feet  in 
height,  and  is  round  smooth,  and  green.  The  large, 
hairy,  bright  green  leaves  are  deeply  pleated  with 
numerous  parallel  ribs,  and  are  broadly  oval,  and 
tapering  at  the  apex.  They  clasp  the  stalk,  and 
graduate  in  size  as  they  approach  the  top.  The  lower 
leaves  are  often  a  foot  long.  The  numerous,  unattrac- 
tive, dull  yellowish-green  flowers  have  six  spreading, 
petal-like  parts  and  six  short,  curved  stamens.  They 
are  densely  crowded  on  rather  open,  branching  ter- 
minal spikes,  and  each  flower  is  guarded  with  a  small 
leaflet.  The  rootstock  is  long  and  thick  with  many 
fleshy,  fibrous  rootlets.  It  has  a  disagreeable  odour, 
and  is  very  poisonous,  but  possesses  important  medi- 
cinal qualities.  The  stifle,  spear-like  shoots  are  very 
noticeable  in  the  early  spring.  The  species  is  also 
found  along  mountain  streams  from  May  to  July, 
and  ranges  from  Alaska  and  the  British  Possessions 
south  to  Minnesota,   Tennessee  and   Georgia.      Five 

206 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

different    species   of     Viratrum    are    found    growing 
within  the  United  States. 

STAR  OF  BETHLEHEM.     TEN  O'CLOCK 

Ornithogalum  umbellatum.     Lily  Family. 

An  extremely  dainty  plant  with  exquisite  white, 
starry  flowers  which  decorate  our  moist  fields  and 
meadows  during  May  and  June  from  New  England 
to  Virginia,  and  become  very  abundant  in  favourable 
localities.  The  popular  name  has  long  been  applied  to 
this  pretty  Lily  which  is  thought  to  resemble  the  hallowed 
star  in  the  East  that  guided  the  Wise  Men  to  the  place 
in  Bethlehem  where  Jesus  was  born.  The  slender 
stalk  branches  at  the  top  only  for  the  solitary  flowers, 
and  grows  from  four  to  twelve  inches  high.  The  long 
narrow,  fleshy  leaves  rise  in  a  tuft  from  a  thick,  egg- 
shaped  bulb.  They  have  a  whitish  midvein,  and  are 
dark  green  in  colour.  The  flowers  open  only  in  the 
sunshine.  They  are  five-parted,  spreading,  and  star-like. 
Each  of  the  petal-like  parts  is  pure  white  with  delicate 
veinings,  and  has  a  wide,  green  stripe  on  the  outside, 
which  resembles  a  separate  sepal  or  bract.  The  stamens 
are  flattened.  This  charming  species  has  become  nat- 
uralized from  Europe,  and  has  escaped  from  gardens. 

WILD  SPIKENARD.     FALSE  SOLOMON'S  SEAL. 
SOLOMON'S  ZIQZAQ 

Smtlaana  racemosa.     Lily  Family. 

On  account  of  the  similarity  of  its  foliage,  this 
species  is  frequently  confused  with  the  True  Solomon's 

207 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD   FLOWERS 

Seal,  with  which  it  is  often  found  growing.  It  is  easily 
distinguished,  however,  by  the  terminal  arrange- 
ment of  its  plumy  flowers  and  red  berries,  while  the 
latter  species  bears  its  bell-shaped  flowers  distributed 
in  pairs  along  the  stalk  and  its  berries  are  black. 
The  smooth,  leafy,  and  slightly  zigzagged  stalk  grows 
from  one  to  three  feet  high,  from  a  rather  thick,  fleshy 
rootstock.  The  broad,  lance-shaped,  and  strongly 
ribbed  leaves  are  stemless,  or  nearly  so,  and  alter- 
nate at  the  angles  of  the  stalk.  The  margins  are  tooth- 
less, but  are  fringed  with  fine  hairs.  The  surface, 
particularly  beneath,  is  also  hairy.  The  small,  white 
or  greenish-white  flowers  are  fragrant,  and  have  six 
spreading,  petal-like  parts,  six  pale,  yellow-tipped 
stamens,  and  a  thick  pistil.  These  are  densely  crowded 
in  a  pyramid-shaped  spike  at  the  end  of  the  stalk,  which 
is  often  gracefully  curved.  The  flowers  are  suc- 
ceeded by  the  aromatic,  purple-specked  berries,  which 
are  at  first  green,  then  yellow-white,  and  finally  pale 
red.  The  plant  blossoms  from  May  to  July,  and  is 
found  in  moist  woods  and  thickets,  from  Nova  Scotia 
to  Georgia,  and  westward  to  Missouri,  Arizona,  and 
British  Columbia. 

FALSE  LILY  OF  THE  VALLEY.     TWO=LEAVED 
SOLOMON'S  SEAL 

Maianthemum  canadense.     Lily  Family. 

A  common  and  familiar  little  zigzag-stemmed, 
woodland  plant,  bearing  usually  two  leaves  or  often 
only  one,  and  found  generally  about  the  base  of  stumps 

208 


CANADA  GOLDEN-ROD.     Solidago  canadensis 


BLACK-EYED    SUSAN.      Rudbeckia  hirta 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

and  trees  in  moist  woods  and  thickets,  where  it  blos- 
soms from  May  to  July.  The  slender  stalk  is  round 
and  grooved,  and  grows  from  two  to  seven  inches  in 
height.  The  alternating,  broad-oval  leaves  have  a 
short-tipped,  blunt  point  and  are  heart-shaped  with 
a  narrow  slit  at  the  base  where  they  are  either  clasping 
or  short-stemmed.  The  surface  is  smooth  and  shin- 
ing, and  the  veinings  are  parallel.  They  are  yellowish- 
green  in  colour,  becoming  stained  and  rusty  with  age. 
The  tiny,  fragrant,  waxy-white  flower  has  four  spreading 
petal-like  parts,  and  four  cream-tipped  stamens. 
They  are  crowded  on  a  short  terminal  spike,  and  are 
followed  with  round,  grayish  or  creamy  white  red- 
speckled  berries,  which  finally  become  dark,  shining, 
ruby  red  in  colour.  There  is  not  the  slightest  resem- 
blance to  the  Lily  of  the  Valley  of  our  gardens,  and 
this  name  is  therefore  misleading.  This  rather  dainty 
species  occurs  in  scattered  or  dense  colonies  from 
Canada  to  North  Carolina,  Iowa,  and  South  Dakota. 

HAIRY,   TRUE  OR  TWIN=FLOWERED 
SOLOMON'S  SEAL 

Polygonatum  bifiorum.     Lily  Family. 

A  common  and  graceful  species  growing  in  woods 
and  thickets  in  company  with  the  Wild  Spikenard, 
and  frequently  confused  with  it.  The  upper  part  of  the 
slender,  leafy,  unbranched  stalk  is  often  angular  and 
curved.  It  rises  from  eight  inches  to  three  feet  in 
height.  The  toothless,  oval,  pointed  or  lance-shaped 
leaves  are  alternately  on  the  stalk,  and  are  smooth  above 

209 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD   FLOWERS 

and  paler  and  hairy  beneath.  The  white  or  yellowish- 
green,  bell-shaped  flowers  are  usually  arranged  in  pairs, 
and  droop  and  nod  beneath  the  leaves  on  fine  stems 
springing  from  the  leaf  axils.  The  tubular  flower  is  six 
lobed  at  the  opening,  but  is  not  spreading,  and  has  six 
stamens  and  a  pistil.  The  berry  is  round,  pulpy,  and 
blue-black  in  colour.  The  horizontal  rootstock  is  thick 
and  jointed.  This  plant  was  formerly  employed  in  heal- 
ing bruises,  particularly  those  about  the  eyes,  and  for 
wounds  and  skin  eruptions.  It  was  also  highly  esteemed 
as  a  cosmetic.  The  berries  are  said  to  be  poisonous. 
The  species  blossoms  from  April  to  July  in  woods 
and  thickets,  from  New  Brunswick  to  Michigan, 
and  south   to  Florida  and  West  Virginia. 

LARGE  FLOWERED  WAKE-ROBIN 

Trillium  grandiflorum.     Lily  Family. 

The  Trilliums  rank  among  the  foremost  of  our 
native  woodland  wild  flowers,  and  they  possess  an 
individuality  that  compares  favourably  with  the 
exclusive  traits  of  the  Arbutus,  the  Gentians,  the 
Lobelias,  and  the  Orchids.  This  beautiful,  large, 
white-flowered  species  is  one  of  the  choicest  and  best 
known  of  its  family.  It  is  found  during  May  and  June, 
in  damp,  rich  woods,  and  grows  from  eight  to  eigh- 
teen inches  high.  The  single,  smooth,  stout,  juicy 
stalk  terminates  with  a  whorl  of  three  large,  hand- 
some, broadly  egg-shaped,  triple-ribbed  leaves  which 
taper  suddenly  at  the  apex  and  are  narrowed  to  a 
stemless  base.     They  are  loose-textured,  prominently 

2IO 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

veined,  and  toothless.  The  large,  waxy-white,  solitary 
flower  is  borne  on  a  short  stem  that  springs  upright 
from  the  centre  of  the  leaves.  The  three  thin,  broad, 
strongly  veined,  and  long-pointed  petals  are  larger  and 
much  longer  than  the  three  spreading,  green,  lance- 
shaped  sepals,  and  they  turn  outward  with  a  large  grace- 
ful curve.  They  are  scentless,  and  as  they  age  they 
become  pink.  The  single  berry  is  nearly  black  when 
matured.  This  showy-flowered  Trillium  ranges  from 
Canada  to  Florida,  and  west  to  Minnesota  and  Missouri. 

NODDING  WAKE=ROBIN 

Trillium  cernuum.     Lily  Family. 

The  fragrant  white  or  pink  flower  of  this  common 
Trillium  droops  on  its  short,  curving  stem  until  it  nods, 
usually  below  the  whorl  of  very  broad  leaves,  where 
it  is  quite  hidden  from  view.  The  stalk  is  rather 
slender,  and  grows  from  eight  to  twenty  inches  high, 
in  the  shade  of  rich,  moist  woods.  The  petals  of  the 
rather  large  flower  are  tapering  and  wavy-edged,  and 
are  rolled  prettily  backward.  The  calyx  is  light  green, 
and  the  nodding,  egg-shaped  fruit  is  red-purple  when 
ripe.  The  flower  blossoms  from  April  to  June  and 
may  be  found  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Ontario,  and  Minne- 
sota and  south  to  Georgia  and  Missouri. 

PAINTED  TRILLIUM,  OR  WAKE=ROBIN 

Trillium  undulatum.     Lily  Family. 

The  beautiful  Painted  Trillium  is  one  of  the 
commonest  arid  most  striking  of    its  clan.     It  loves 

211 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD  FLOWERS 

to  dwell  beside  cool,  trickling  brooklets,  and  in 
shady  dells  in  rich,  damp  woods  where  it  blossoms 
during  May  and  June.  The  rather  slender  soli- 
tary green  stalk  is  smooth  and  naked  and  grows 
from  eight  inches  to  sometimes  two  feet  in  height 
The  large,  egg-shaped  leaves  have  a  long,  tapering 
point,  and  a  rounded  base.  They  have  short  stems 
and  are  triple-veined.  The  thin,  widely  spreading, 
waxy-white,  wavy-edged  petals  are  painted  with  purple 
stripes  at  the  base.  The  green  sepals  are  narrow, 
lance-shaped.  The  solitary  flower  is  set  on  a  short 
stem  and  is  often  slightly  drooped.  The  egg-shaped 
fruit  is  shining  bright  red  when  ripe.  This  plant 
ranges  from  Nova  Scotia,  Ontario,  and  Wisconsin  to 
Georgia  and  Missouri. 

STAR=GRASS.     COLIC=ROOT 

Aletris  faritihsa.       Lily  Family. 

A  bitter,  fibrous-rooted,  yellow-flowered  perennial, 
which  is  sought  annually  in  some  locahties  by  herb 
gatherers,  on  account  of  its  reputed  value  as  a  remedy 
for  colic,  rheumatism  and  as  a  general  tonic.  The 
slender  flower  stalk  grows  from  one  and  a  half  to  three 
feet  in  height,  from  a  spreading  cluster  of  thin,  lance- 
shaped,  pale  yellowish-green  basal  leaves.  The 
numerous  small,  white  or  yellowish  tubular  flowers 
are  faintly  fragrant  and  form  a  dense,  slender, 
wand-like  spike.  The  six  stamens  are  tipped  with 
orange.  Colic-root  is  found  in  dry,  sandy  fields  and 
along  roadsides  from  May  to  July  and  ranges  from 

212 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

Maine,   Ontario,    and   Minnesota,    south   to   Florida 
and  Tennessee. 

SHOWY  LADY'S  SLIPPER 

Cypripedium  hirsutum.     Orchid  Family. 

This  magnificent,  fragrant  Orchid  has  been  con- 
sidered the  most  beautiful  of  the  Cypripediums  and 
some  enthusiasts  have  even  thought  that  it  should  be 
crowned  the  queen  of  American  wild  flowers.  It  is 
a  shy,  chaste  beauty,  and  keeps  aloof,  hidden  in 
remote  swamps  and  rich,  low,  mossy  woods,  where 
its  incomparable  charm  and  subtle  grace  regale  the 
woods  with  their  exquisite  splendour.  The  com- 
mon name  should  not  be  confused  with  that  of  the 
earlier-blooming  Showy  Orchis,  which  bears  a  spike 
of  several  flowers.  The  Showy  Lady's  Slipper  raises 
its  stout,  leafy,  and  downy  stalk  a  foot  or  two  high,  and 
may  be  found  from  June  to  September.  The  large, 
downy,  wavy-edged,  pointed  oval  leaves  are  alter- 
nating and  clasping,  and  resemble  the  foliage  of  the 
False  Hellebore.  The  large,  white,  balloon-like  floral 
pouch  is  shaped  something  like  an  Indian  moccasin, 
and  is  softly  stained  on  the  upper  side  with  pinkish 
purple  spots  and  stripes.  The  broad,  spreading 
sepals  and  petals  are  pure  white,  and  are  flared  with 
such  a  vigorous,  animated  gesture  that  one  fancies 
that  they  are  almost  trying  to  speak.  Usually  one, 
and  frequently  two  or  three  flowers  hang  from  the 
summit  of  the  stalk.  The  root  is  used  as  a  nerve 
tonic,  and  the  fine  hairs  with  which  the  plant  is  covered 

213 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD  FLOWERS 

yield  a  poisonous  oil  which  sometimes  irritates  the  skin. 
This  species  ranges  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Ontario, 
and  Minnesota,  and  south  to  Georgia. 

LARGE  ROUND=LEAVED  ORCHIS 

Hahenaria  orbiculata.     Orchid  Family. 

A  pair  of  exceedingly  large,  shining,  circular  leaves 
with  a  silvery  underside  and  lying  flat  upon  the  ground, 
are  pretty  certain  means  of  identifying  this  peculiar 
Orchid,  It  frequents  deep,  rich  woods,  preferably 
evergreen,  which  are  carpeted  with  pine  or  hemlock 
needles,  where  it  raises  its  stout  stalk  a  foot  or  two 
high,  and  blossoms  gaily  during  July  and  August. 
From  ten  to  twenty  or  more  white  flowers  are  loosely 
clustered  in  a  terminal  spike.  The  short,  upper  sepal 
is  rounded,  and  the  two  narrower  side  ones  are  spread- 
ing. Two  petals  are  smaller,  sharply  pointed  and 
arching,  while  the  long,  narrow,  and  drooping  white 
one,  which  forms  the  pointed,  curving  lip,  is  prolonged 
in  a  long,  slender,  curving  spur.  The  great,  opposite 
spreading  leaves  are  many-ribbed,  and  the  stalk  has 
several  small,  alternating  bracts  or  leaflets  set  along  its 
length.  This  Orchid  is  rather  uncommon,  and  is  found 
in  the  hilly  or  mountainous  regions,  from  the  British 
Possessions  south  to  North  Carolina  and  Minnesota. 

WHITE   FRINGED   ORCHIS 

Hahenaria  blephariglottis.     Orchid  Family. 

This  refined  and  elegant  beauty  raises  her  stately 
white  head  above  the  surrounding  grasses,  and,  after 

214 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

the  maimer  of  the  powdered  Colonial  dames  of  old, 
fascinates  us  with  her  incomparable  grace  and  loveli- 
ness as  she  executes  a  proud  courtsey  to  each  passing 
breeze.  The  general  description  of  the  stalk,  leaves 
and  blossoms  of  her  golden  flowered  sister,  the  Yel- 
low Fringed  Orchis,  applies  very  generally  to  the  above 
species.  The  present  Orchid,  however,  is  inclined  to 
be  more  delicate  and  somewhat  smaller  in  all  parts. 
It  is  also  rather  more  common,  and  the  soft,  feathery 
flowers  blossom  a  few  days  earlier  where  the  two  bloom 
side  by  side,  as  they  very  frequently  do.  The  White 
Fringed  Orchis  blossoms  during  July  and  August,  in 
bogs  and  swamps,  from  Newfoundland  to  Minnesota, 
and  south  to  Florida  and  Mississippi. 

NODDING    LADIES'  TRESSES 

Spiranthes  cernua.     Orchid  Family. 

Throughout  the  glorious  autumn,  when  the  summer 
verdure  gradually  assumes  the  most  beautiful  variations 
of  yellow,  scarlet,  and  brown,  and  after  most  of  our 
wild  flowers  have  ceased  their  floral  activities,  this 
latest  blooming  Orchid,  like  the  lovely  Blue  Gentian, 
suddenly  realizes  its  sense  of  duty  and  blossoms  as 
gaily  as  though  the  birds  were  just  returning  with  the 
spring.  It  is  also  one  of  the  very  commonest  of  its 
family.  It  grows  from  six  inches  to  two  feet  in  height, 
in  wet  meadows  and  grassy  sv/amps.  Several  long, 
narrow,  lance-shaped  leaves  spring  from  the  base  of 
the  stalk,  but  usually  disappear  before  the  flowering 
season.    Those  on  the  upper  stalk  are  much  reduced 

215 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD   FLOWERS 

and  bract-like.  The  roots  are  slender  and  fleshy. 
The  tiny,  waxy  white  or  yellowish  flowers  are  fragrant 
and  spurless.  And  together  with  short,  semi-circular 
bracts,  they  are  gathered  into  crowded  rows  of  threes 
which,  with  a  peculiar,  ropy,  spiral  growth,  form  a  re- 
markably twisted  terminal  spike.  The  two  side  sepals  are 
free  and  spreading,  while  the  upper  one  forms  an  arch 
with  the  petals.  The  oblong  lip  has  a  broad,  rounded, 
crinkle-edged  apex.  This  pretty  little  Orchid  blossoms 
abundantly  from  August  to  October,  and  ranges 
from  Florida  to  Nova  Scotia,  and  west  to  Ontario, 
Minnesota,  South  Dakota,  New  Mexico,  and  Louisiana. 

DOWNY  RATTLESNAKE  PLANTAIN 

Epipactis  pubescens.     Orchid  Family. 

The  familiar  rosettes  of  white-veined,  blue-green 
foliage  of  this  common  Orchid  are  spread  cl®se  to  the 
ground,  in  dry  and  usually  evergreen  woods,  where 
they  occur  in  distinct  patches,  and  are  really  more 
decorative  than  their  flowers,  which  blossom  dur- 
ing July  and  August.  The  short  flower  stalk  is  cov- 
ered with  thick,  hairy  dovm,  and  rises  from  the  centre 
of  the  leaves  some  six  to  twenty  inches.  It  bears 
several  small,  alternating,  and  clasping  scale-like 
leaflets.  The  thick,  pointed-oval,  evergreen  leaves 
are  softly  downy,  the  prominent  ribs  and  veins  are 
white,  and  the  edges  are  wavy.  The  thick,  fleshy  root 
is  creeping  in  habit.  The  small,  pouched,  greenish 
white  flowers  are  crowded  into  a  slender,  terminal, 
clubbed  spike,  and  are  attended  with  short,  pointed, 

216 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

curving  leaflets  or  bracts.  Two  of  the  tiny  sepals  flare  at 
the  sides,  and  the  third  or  upper  one  unites  with  the  pet- 
als to  form  a  hood.  The  lip  curves  into  a  little  sac  with 
a  sharp  tip.  The  leaves  were  formerly  used  by  the  In- 
dians as  an  antidote  for  snake  bites,  and,  according  to 
Pursh,  they  were  widely  known  as  a  certain  cure  for  hy- 
drophobia. This  species  ranges  from  Florida  and  Ten- 
nessee, north  to  Minnesota,  Ontario,  and  Newfoundland. 

POKE,     SCOKE.      PIQEON=BERRY.     GARGET. 
INK=BERRY 

Phytolacca  decdndra.     Pokeweed  Family. 

This  tall,  smooth,  strong-smelling,  stout  and  branch- 
ing herb  grows  from  four  to  twelve  feet  high  from  a 
large,  poisonous,  perennial  root.  It  is  a  most  familiar 
plant  during  autumn,  when  its  round,  purple-stained 
stalk,  and  conspicuous,  long,  drooping  clusters  of  rich, 
dark  crimson  juiced  and  shining  fruit  attract  our 
attention  along  roadsides  and  fence  rows  and  in 
meadow  corners.  The  large,  tapering,  oval  leaves 
have  strong  midribs  and  toothless  margins,  and  alter- 
nate upon  the  stalk  with  short  stems.  The  small, 
squatty,  five-parted,  green- centred,  pink-tinted,  white 
flowers  are  gathered  in  long,  terminal,  clustering,  pur- 
ple stemmed  spikes.  The  petal-like  parts  are  really 
coloured  sepals  which  take  the  place  of  a  corolla.  In 
the  early  spring  the  young  shoots  are  much  used  as 
food  and  are  boiled  and  eaten  like  asparagus.  For 
this  purpose  they  should  be  thoroughly  cooked  and 
not  cut  too  close  to  the  root,  otherwise  they  will  produce 

217 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD   FLOWERS 

serious  results.  An  ointment  made  from  the  Poke- 
weed  is  used  in  the  treatment  of  ringworm  and  rheu- 
matism, and  also  for  relieving  itching  and  inflammation 
of  the  eyes.  Children  like  to  make  red  ink  from  the 
berries.  The  word  "Poke"  is  said  to  be  derived  from 
pocan,  an  Indian  name  for  any  plant  yielding  a  red 
or  yellow  dye.  During  the  campaign  of  President 
Polk  the  leaves  of  the  Pokeweed  were  worn  by  his 
admirers.  Although  the  berries  are  greatly  relished 
by  birds,  children  should  be  warned  not  to  eat  them. 
The  Pigeon-berry  is  common  from  June  to  October. 
It  ranges  from  Canada  to  the  Gulf  States. 

LONQ=LEAVED  STITCHWORT 

Stellaria  longifolia.     Pink  Family. 

A  taller,  freely  branching,  rough-angled  species, 
having  small,  narrow,  grass-like  leaves  and  numer- 
ous slightly  larger  flowers  than  the  following.  The 
lance-shaped  sepals  do  not  extend  beyond  the  petals 
and  their  ten  white  stamens.  The  stem  is  weak  and 
depends  upon  immediate  vegetation  for  its  support. 
It  blossoms  from  May  to  July,  and  flourishes  in  low 
meadows  and  swamps.  It  ranges  from  Nova  Scotia 
to  Alaska,  and  south  to  Kentucky,  Louisiana,  the 
Rocky  Mountain  region,  and  British  Columbia. 

COMMON  CHICKWEED 

Stellaria  media.     Pink  Family. 

Chickweed?  Why,  that's  good  for  birds!  Almost 
everyone  will  tell  you  that,  the  wide  world  over.     Almost 

218 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

everyone  who  owns  a  pet  canary  has  fed  it  sprigs  of 
the  buds  and  flowers  of  the  Chickweed.  It  is  one  of 
the  very  commonest  of  our  dooryard  neighbours.  Tiny 
and  insignificant  to  be  sure,  but  this  Speedwell  is 
always  at  home,  twelve  months  of  the  year.  Its  slender, 
leafy,  branching  stem  spreads  over  the  ground  in  tufts. 
It  is  green  and  smooth,  excepting  a  line  of  very  fine 
hairs  along  one  side.  The  small,  oval,  pointed  leaves 
have  a  smooth  surface  and  an  entire  margin.  They 
grow  in  pairs  and  the  lower  ones  are  short  stemmed. 
Five  very  deeply  notched  white  petals  appear  at  first 
sight  to  be  a  double  quantity  of  very  narrow  ones.  The 
five  parts  of  the  green  calyx  are  much  larger  and  extend 
considerably  beyond  the  petals.  The  stamens  are  very 
fine  but  noticeable.  The  Chickweed's  flowers  do  not 
open  fully  on  cloudy  days.  It  is  found  almost  every- 
where throughout  the  northern  hemisphere  in  meadows, 
and  woods,  and  waste  places  generally. 

FIELD  CHICKWEED 

Cerastium  arvense.     Pink  Family. 

A  densely  tufted  perennial,  more  or  less  erect  in 
growth,  and  often  covered  with  minute  hairs.  It  is 
sparingly  branched  and  grows  from  four  to  ten  inches 
high.  The  starry  white  flowers  are  much  larger  than 
those  of  the  two  preceding  species,  and  have  ten 
yellowish  stamens.  They  are  loosely  clustered,  and 
the  five  petals  are  nicked  at  the  apex  into  two  rounding 
lobes.  The  calyx  is  less  than  half  the  length  of  the 
petals.     The  leaves  are  small  and  grass-like  and  occur 

219 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD    FLOWERS 

sparingly  in  alternating  pairs  upon  the  stalk.  This 
Chickweed  is  found  in  dry,  rocky  places  from  Labrador 
to  Alaska,  and  south  to  Georgia,  Missouri,  Nevada 
and  California.     It  blossoms  from  April  to  July. 

STARRY  CAMPION 

Silene  stellata.      Pink  Family. 

You  can  tell  at  once  by  their  swollen  joints  that  the 
Campions  are  related  to  the  Pink  family.  The  promi- 
nent calyx  is  another  tell-tale  feature.  The  erect,  leafy, 
light  green  stem  is  roughened  with  fine  hairs  and 
grows  from  two  to  three  and  a  half  feet  high.  The 
long,  oval,  yellow  green  leaf  is  tapered  at  the  point. 
The  surface  is  rough,  and  the  margin  is  fringed  with 
fine  hairs.  The  leaves  are  arranged  in  whorls  of  four 
with  occasional  odd  pairs  near  the  top  or  base  of  the 
stalk.  The  light  green,  five-toothed  calyx  is  sticky, 
inflated,  and  bell-shaped.  The  stem  and  calyx  are 
stained  with  red.  The  beautiful,  white,  star-shaped 
flowers  are  prettily  grouped  in  a  large,  open,  terminal 
cluster.  The  five  delicate  petals  are  deeply  fringed  and 
clawed,  and  ten  long  stamens  extend  beyond  the 
corolla.  The  Starry  Campion  is  a  conspicuous  plant, 
unfolding  its  petals  in  the  evening  and  closing  them  in 
the  bright  sun.  It  dwells  commonly  along  woodland 
slopes  from  Massachusetts  to  Nebraska  and  southward 
to  South  Carolina  and  Arkansas  during  June,  July  and 
August.  The  generic  name  Silene  is  derived  from  the 
Greek  seilanos,  a  mythical  god,  described  as  being 
covered  with  foam;    connected  with  sialon,  or  saliva, 

220 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

referring  to  the  stickiness  of  the  calyx.  The  peculiar 
markings  of  the  root,  under  the  bark,  suggest  the  skin 
of  a  snake,  and  it  has  been  called  Furman's  Snakeroot 
in  honour  of  an  Indian  doctor  who  first  employed  it  as 
an  antidote  for  snake  bites.  The  calyx  is  a  natural 
"tanglefoot,"  and  small  insects  arc  frequently  found 
stuck  fast  to  its  surface.  This  peculiarity  prompted 
the  English  name,  Catch-fly. 

BLADDER  CAMPION.      BEHEN.     COW=BELL. 
SPATTERING,  OR  FROTHY  POPPY 

Silent  latifblia.     Pink  Family. 

This  pretty,  delicate  native  of  Europe  and  Asia  was 
introduced  into  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  and  has  become 
very  common  in  fields  and  roadsides  from  New  Bruns- 
wick and  Ontario  southward  to  New  Jersey,  Illinois, 
and  Iowa,  throughout  the  summer.  The  smooth, 
leafy  perennial  stalk  branches  at  the  base,  and  grows 
from  six  to  eighteen  inches  high.  The  oblong  or  lance- 
shaped,  dark  green  leaves  occur  in  alternate  pairs,  and 
are  variable  in  size.  They  are  acutely  pointed,  and  the 
lower  ones  are  often  paddle  shaped.  The  white  flowers 
are  arranged  in  loose,  often  drooping  clusters,  and  are 
fragrant  only  at  night.  The  five  clawed  petals  are 
deeply  cleft  and  wheel  shaped.  Ten  long  stamens 
extend  beyond  the  corolla.  The  strongly  veined,  five 
toothed,  pale  green  calyx  is  greatly  swollen  and  strongly 
hints  its  common  name.  It  is  also  the  most  distinguish- 
ing feature  of  the  flower.  In  some  parts  of  England, 
country  people  cook  and  eat  the  young  shoots  of  this 

221 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD   FLOWERS 

plant  as  a  substitute  for  asparagus.     It  is  said  to  have 
a  flavour  much  like  green  peas. 

SPRING   BEAUTY.     CLAYTONIA 

Claytonia  virginica.     Purslane  family. 

Ever  since  the  beginning  of  things  there  has  been 
a  wide  range  of  temperament  exhibited  among  the 
beauties  of  creation,  and  it  is  no  less  pronounced  among 
flowers  than  it  is  peculiar  to  those  who  begin  to  betray 
it  at  sweet  sixteen.  So  here  's  to  the  Spring  Beauty, 
may  her  tribe  increase!  Although  apparently  indif- 
ferent to  the  cold  blasts  of  March  and  early  April, 
and  bold  in  her  effort  to  be  first  among  the  debutantes 
at  Nature's  earliest  social  gathering,  she  becomes 
extremely  sensitive  if  her  whims  happen  to  be  opposed. 
She  loves  the  glorious  sun  and  courts  and  courtseys 
before  his  radiations  with  all  the  charming  affectation 
her  flushed,  wide-spreading  petals  can  command. 
She  blushes  as  she  greets  him  from  rising  to  setting, 
turning  as  he  travels  from  east  to  west,  and  then  back 
again  each  morning  to  repeat  the  operation  when  he 
returns.  But  let  him  disappoint  her,  and  she  imme- 
diately pouts  and  droops,  and  refuses  to  be  consoled 
until  the  clouds  break  away,  and  he  reappears.  If 
you  chance  to  pluck  this  dainty  miss,  she  promptly 
sulks,  and  no  amount  of  coaxing  will  prevail  to  change 
her  hopeless  mood,  without  the  endearing  rays  of  her 
affinity.  So  much  for  the  sun's  influence  upon  the 
temperament  of  the  Spring  Beauty.  During  March, 
April,  and  May  the  starry  flowers  of  the  Claytonia 

222 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

are  everywhere  conspicuous  in  thin,  moist  woods, 
where  they  grow  abundantly.  They  are  found  singly, 
and  in  thick  clusters,  but  generally  in  colonies  which 
are  scattered  over  a  considerable  area,  and  slope  after 
slope  is  often  whitened  with  masses  of  their  delicate 
blossoms.  The  single,  slender,  and  juicy  stalk  springs 
from  a  small,  deeply  seated,  tuberous  root.  It  grows 
from  six  to  twelve  inches  high,  and  is  occasionally 
branched.  It  is  light  green  in  colour,  and  is  stained 
with  red.  About  midway  from  the  ground,  it  bears 
two  long,  narrow,  dark  green,  grass-like  leaves  which 
taper  into  short  stems  and  unite  oppositely  with  the 
stalk.  They  have  a  distinct  midrib,  a  smooth  edge, 
and  are  narrowed  to  a  point.  The  stem  and  leaves 
are  thick  and  rubbery  in  texture,  and  the  entire  plant 
becomes  limp  and  forlorn  almost  as  soon  as  it  is  picked. 
The  weak  stalk  usually  assumes  a  crooked  or  ser- 
pentine growth,  and  is  frequently  sprawled  along  the 
ground.  It  is  rather  tough,  and  is  more  apt  to  break 
at  the  root  than  above  the  ground  when  pulled.  The 
newly  exposed  part  when  pulled  up  is  quite  white,  and 
tapers  toward  the  root.  The  nodding  buds,  which  are 
enclosed  in  a  two-parted  calyx,  are  borne  on  short, 
slender  stems  in  a  loose  terminal  cluster,  and  open  a 
few  at  a  time.  The  flowers  are  less  than  an  inch  broad 
when  fully  expanded,  and  are  known,  botanically,  as 
secund  flowers  —  that  is,  they  are  all  borne  on  one 
side  of  the  stem.  The  five  oval,  fine-textured  petals 
are  notched  at  the  apex.  They  are  white  with  fine 
veinings  of  pink,  or  often  a  beautiful  pink  with  darker 

223 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD    FLOWERS 

pink  lines.  The  petals  are  slightly  united  at  the  base, 
and  near  this  point  the  veinings  terminate  with  small 
dashes  of  yellow.  There  are  five  white  stamens  with 
pink  anthers  attached  to  the  base  of  the  petals.  As  the 
petals  expand  the  stamens  remain  erect  around  the 
pistil,  adding  greatly  to  the  effectiveness  of  the  blossom. 
As  the  flower  matures  the  stamens  droop  outward 
toward  the  petals  and  the  tip  of  the  pistil  opens  with 
three  little  hooks.  There  is  a  faint  fragrance  to  the 
flowers  when  they  first  open,  but  it  is  not  always  con- 
stant. The  Claytonia  was  named  for  an  early  Amer- 
ican botanist,  John  Clayton  of  Virginia,  who  collected 
many  plants  and  sent  them  to  Gronovius,  the  editor 
of  the  "Flora  Virginica."  The  Spring  Beauty  is 
found  from  Nova  Scotia  to  the  Northwest  Territory 
and  southward  to  Georgia  and  Texas.  There  is 
very  little  chance  of  confusing  this  flower  with 
those  of  either  of  the  Anemones.  Just  remember 
that  the  Spring  Beauty  has  very  long  and  narrow 
leaves  shaped  like  grass  blades,  and  the  stems  of 
the  Anemones  are  thin  and  wiry. 

SWEET=SCENTED    WHITE   WATER    LILY. 
POND  LILY.     WATER   NYMPH 

Casialia  odorata.     Water  Lily  Family. 

There  is  scarcely  another  flower  that  loses  so  much 
of  its  spectacular  charm  and  magnificent  splendour 
as  the  beautiful  Water  Lily  when  it  is  removed  from  its 
natural  element.  The  flowers  certainly  present  a 
saddened  and  bedraggled  appearance  when  they  are 

224 


TANSY.     BITTER  BUTTONS.     Tanacetum  vuleare 


RATTLESNAKE-WEED.     HAWKWEED.     Hieracium  venosum 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

being  peddled  on  our  city  streets  by  venders  who  stand 
stupidly  in  front  of  the  theatres  and  larger  depart- 
ment stores,  grasping  a  bunch  of  these  handsome, 
drooped  buds  and  flowers  by  the  neck  as  if  they  were 
so  many  shoestrings,  and  with  about  as  much  aesthetic 
conception!  There  is  but  one  encouraging  feature 
about  this  altogether  too  familiar  sight,  and  that  is 
the  noticeable  absence  of  patronage.  If  everyone 
should  refrain  from  purchasing  wild  flowers  from 
street  .  hawkers  it  would  discourage  the  peddling 
practice  quicker  than  any  other  method,  and  con- 
sequently prolong  their  existence,  which  has  already 
been  threatened  in  many  instances  with  extinction. 
The  Water  Lily  is  of  high-born  parentage,  and  enjoys 
the  proud  distinction  of  kinship  to  the  sacred  Lotus  of 
the  Orient.  The  Lotus  is  connected  with  the  birth  of 
the  Hindoo  deity,  and  has  always  been  symbolic  of  the 
Buddha  faith,  to  which  something  like  five  hundred 
million  souls  bow  allegiance.  The  Hindoos  use  the 
Lotus  in  their  funeral  ceremonies,  and  also  to  decorate 
their  temples  and  monuments.  It  is  the  national 
flower  of  Siam,  Japanese  artists  use  it  extensively 
for  designing  and  decorating,  and  their  craftsmen 
reproduce  it  in  ivory,  gold  and  bronze.  Lotus  petals 
were  found  in  the  tomb  of  Rameses  II.  in  1881,  where 
they  had  reposed  for  over  three  thousand  years. 
During  the  Roman  period,  the  Egyptians  cultivated  the 
Lotus  along  the  River  Nile  for  food.  The  roots  were 
dried  in  the  sun,  and  then  pounded  into  flour.  There 
is  a  superstition  among  the  Wallachians,  in  Roumania, 

225 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD   FLOWERS 

that  every  flower  possesses  a  soul,  and  that  the  Water 
Lily  sits  in  solemn  judgment  at  the  gates  of  Paradise, 
demanding  of  each  blossom  a  strict  accounting  as  to 
the  disposition  made  of  its  odour.  Along  some  parts 
of  the  Rhine  the  natives  chant  magic  verses  while 
gathering  Water  Lilies,  which,  they  believe,  will  keep 
away  witches.  A  pretty  Lenape  Indian  legend  records 
the  origin  of  the  flower  in  a  falling  star  that  upon  strik- 
ing the  water  changed  into  a  Water  Lily.  The  Water 
Nymph  gets  its  name  from  Nympha,  a  nature  god- 
dess of  Greek  and  Roman  mythology.  This  wonder- 
ful family  includes  the  gigantic  Royal  Water  Lily, 
Victoria  regia,  of  Brazil,  which  has  the  largest  flower 
in  the  world,  and  was  named  by  Dr.  Lindley  in  honour 
of  Queen  Victoria  in  1837.  Some  of  these  flowers 
measure  a  foot  and  a  half  in  diameter,  and  their  mon- 
strous leaves  are  often  six  or  seven  feet  broad  and  are 
capable  of  bearing  the  weight  of  a  man  standing 
thereon,  Thoreau  regarded  the  White  Water  Lily  as 
"the  queen  of  river  flowers."  He  might  have  gone 
further  and  said,  "queen  of  our  waters,"  for  few 
flowers  are  held  in  higher  esteem.  They  seem  to  lend 
a  sort  of  lasting  enchantment  to  every  outing,  brief 
or  extended,  and  almost  everybody  can  associate  one 
or  more  pleasant  memories  with  them.  How  I  have 
enjoyed  the  precious  moments  on  several  occasions 
when  it  was  my  privilege  to  watch  the  deer  feeding 
on  the  "lily  pads"  near  our  Adirondack  camp!  No 
other  experience  in  outdoor  life  can  compare  favourably 
with  it:  the  Water  Lilies  studding  the  thickly  padded 

226 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

surface  of  the  inlet;  the  crisp,  invigorating,  balsam- 
laden  air;  the  wild,  tangled  background  of  gaunt, 
scraggly  trees  and  stumps,  and  the  deer  —  I  cannot 
adequately  describe  it;  no  one  can.  Often  I  have  let 
my  canoe  drift  quietly  near  these  same  ''spring 
holes"  where  the  deer  fed,  while  I  sought  to  lure,  with 
tiny  flies,  the  speckled  trout  that  also  loved  the  fas- 
cination and  seclusion  of  the  captivating  Water  Lilies 
and  their  "pads."  We  never  plucked  the  blossoms, 
for  they  were  our  daily  companions.  The  large, 
attractive  flowers  float  majestically  upon  the  sur- 
face of  the  water  in  a  field  of  waxy-green  leaves,  and 
exhale  an  exquisite  fragrance.  Their  numerous 
pointed  oblong  petals  are  deeply  hollowed.  Their 
texture  is  firm,  and  their  colour  is  a  beautiful  white, 
sometimes  tinged  with  pink.  They  are  arranged  alter- 
nately in  several  rows  and  finally  graduate  toward  the 
centre  into  many  pure  yellow  stamens.  Their  four 
dark  green  sepals  are  shaped  like  the  large  petals,  and 
are  lined  with  white  or  pinkish  white.  The  innermost 
stamens  are  very  slender  and  bear  long  anthers,  while 
those  intermediate  with  the  petals  become  broader 
with  shortened  tips.  The  pistil  is  compound  with 
radiating  and  projecting  stigmas.  The  flowers  are 
from  three  to  five  and  a  half  inches  broad.  They  open 
at  sunrise,  and  close  toward  noon,  excepting  perhaps 
on  cloudy  days.  As  they  fade,  they  are  drawn  beneath 
the  surface  of  the  water,  where  the  seeds  ripen.  The 
large,  floating  leaf  is  from  four  to  twelve  inches  in 
diameter,  and  has  a  toothless  margin.    The  upper  sur- 

227 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD    FLOWERS 

face  is  smooth,  shiny  and  rich  green,  but  the  underside 
is  more  or  less  hairy  and  reddish  in  colour.  It  is  shaped 
almost  like  a  large,  rounded  horseshoe,  and  is  cleft  at 
the  base  with  the  tip  of  the  divisions  slightly  flaring  and 
pointed.  The  texture  is  firm  and  tough.  The  flower 
and  leaves  or  "pads"  are  borne  on  long,  slender,  round, 
rubbery  stems.  These  are  red  in  colour  and  have  four 
main  air  canals.  They  rise  to  the  surface  of  the  water 
from  long,  thick,  horizontal,  and  occasionally  branch- 
ing perennial  rootstocks,  which  are  said  to  have  some 
medicinal  properties.  The  Water  Lily  is  found  in  clear 
waters  of  lakes  and  streams  from  June  to  September, 
and  it  ranges  from  the  Gulf  States  northward  to  Mani- 
toba and  Newfoundland. 

EARLY  MEADOW  RUE 

Thaltctrum  dtotcum.     Crowfoot  Family. 

This  is  a  smaller  species  of  the  Meadow  Rue,  and  it 
grows  from  one  to  two  feet  high  in  open  woods  and 
along  rocky  hillsides,  during  April  and  May,  from  Lab- 
rador to  Alabama,  and  westward  to  Missouri.  It  is 
slender  and  branching,  and  the  thin,  slightly  drooping 
leaflets  are  generally  formed  in  groups  of  three.  They 
are  broader  and  more  rounding  than  those  of  the  Tall 
species,  and  their  margins  are  partly  scalloped.  The 
staminate  and  pistillate  flowers  are  borne  on  sepa- 
rate plants  and  contrast  noticeably  with  each  other. 
The  pretty,  tasselled  blossoms  of  the  former  have  many 
long,  brown-tipped,  pale  green  stamens.  The  pale 
green  pistillate  flowers  are  less  conspicuous,  with  their 

228 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

four  or  more  pistils.  The  flowers  have  from  three  to 
five  petal-like  sepals.  The  leaf  and  flower  stems  are 
thin  and  delicate,  and  contribute  to  the  plant's 
daintiness. 

The  Purplish  Meadow  Rue,  T.  revolutum,  flourishes 
between  the  Early  and  the  Tall  species.  It  grows 
from  one  to  seven  feet  high  in  dry,  rocky  wood- 
lands, and  along  river  banks  from  Nova  Scotia 
to  Florida,  and  westward  to  Arizona,  during 
June,  July  and  August.  The  stem  is  often  stained 
with  purple,  and  the  rather  large,  thick,  dark  green 
leaves  are  waxy  beneath,  have  three  notches  and 
are  more  or  less  hairy  to  the  touch.  The  flowers  are 
tinged  with  purple.     The  plant  emits  a  heavy  odour. 

TALL  MEADOW  RUE 

Thaltctrum  polygamum.     Crowfoot  Family. 

During  midsummer  when  swampy,  open  woods  and 
low,  wet  meadows  are  overrun  with  the  rank  luxuriant 
growth  of  vegetation  peculiar  to  such  localities,  the 
Tall  Meadow  Rue  will  be  found  in  all  its  glory,  tower- 
ing head  and  shoulders  triumphantly  above  the  tangled, 
struggling  mass.  And  above  them  all,  it  will  continue 
to  hold  its  proud  head,  whether  its  ambitious  com- 
panions grow  three  feet  or  a  dozen  feet  high.  What  a 
noble  lesson  it  teaches  discontented  mortals  to  make 
the  best  of  surrounding  conditions,  and  to  be  ever  on  the 
alert  to  keep  just  ahead  of  every  competitor,  regardless 
of  his  pace.  If  this  were  not  the  case  with  the  Meadow 
Rue,  it  would  soon  become  lost  in  the  struggle,  and 

229 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD   FLOWERS 

unless  it  could  change  its  mode  of  living,  it  would  soon 
become  extinct.  Such  is  the  law  governing  the  sur- 
vival of  the  fittest. 

The  Tall  Meadow  Rue  is  noted  for  its  beautiful, 
fern-like  and  feathery  flowers  which  grow  in  great  pro- 
fusion. It  is  open  and  branching,  and  its  general 
appearance  is  loose  and  delicate.  The  compound 
leaves  are  comparatively  small  for  the  size  of  the  plant, 
and  remind  one  a  Httle  of  the  Maiden-hair  Fern.  The 
variable,  rounding,  wedge-shaped  leaflets  are  arranged 
in  groups  of  three  or  five,  and  three  or  five  of  these 
groups  are  again  arranged  to  form  the  triangulated  out- 
line of  the  complete  leaf,  which  occurs  alternately  upon 
the  stalk.  The  outline  of  the  leaflets  is  entire  except- 
ing the  ends,  which  are  notched  into  pointed  or  rounded 
lobes.  The  centre  leaflet  of  each  group  is  larger  than 
the  one  occurring  on  either  side  of  it.  The  colour  is  a 
cool,  medium  green  above,  and  of  a  lighter  shade  on  the 
under  side.  The  texture  is  firm  and  rather  thin,  and 
the  surface  is  smooth  and  lustreless.  The  under  side 
is  minutely  hairy  and  shows  a  fine  network  of  veins. 
The  stalk  is  rather  stout,  finely  grooved,  and  round, 
and  its  colour  is  light  green,  stained  with  purple  near 
the  joints.  The  delicate,  fairy-like  flowers  are  arranged 
loosely  in  large,  fluffy  clusters  and  their  appearance  is 
at  once  attractive  and  pleasing.  They  have  no  petals, 
but  four  or  five  early  falling  petal-like  sepals  act  for  a 
short  time  in  their  place.  The  white,  hair-like,  green 
tipped  stamens  are  very  numerous  and  expand  into 
pretty,    fuzzy,    starry,    and    delicately    scented    balls. 

230 


WT^LD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

The  pistils  number  from  four  to  ten.  Botanists  find  a 
particular  interest  in  the  Tall  Meadow  Rue  because 
both  complete  and  imperfect  flowers  occur  on  different 
as  well  as  the  same  plant.  A  complete  or  perfect 
flower,  by  the  way,  is  one  having  both  stamens  (male) 
and  pistils  (female)  and  producing  seeds.  An  incom- 
plete or  imperfect  flower  lacks  either  the  stamens  or  the 
pistils.  Flowers  bearing  stamens  only  are  known 
as  staminate  or  male  flowers,  and  those  bearing 
pistils  only  are  known  as  pistillate  or  female  flowers. 
The  Tall  Meadow  Rue  may  be  found  from  June 
to  September,  from  Labrador  and  Quebec  to  Florida 
and  westward  to  Ohio. 

RUE  ANEMONE 

Anemonella  thalictroides.     Crowfoot  Family. 

When  one  is  just  forming  an  acquaintance  with  the 
Wood  and  the  Rue  Anemones,  it  frequently  happens 
that  the  names  of  the  two  flowers  become  confused  in 
the  mind,  and  one  finds  it  bothersome  to  determine  at 
sight  which  is  which.     It  is  easy,  however  to  memorize 

Wood  —  one.    Rue  —  two. 
Wood  —  one.    Rue  —  two, 

and  to  fix  in  the  mind  that  the  Wood  Anemone  has  one 
flower  and  one  root  stalk,  hence  Wood-one;  while  the 
Rue  Anemone  has  two  or  more  flowers  and  two  or  more 
root  parts,  hence.  Rue  —  two.  But  there  is  no  reason 
in  the  wide,  wide  world  to  confuse  the  plants,  although 
they  exhibit  similar  traits,  and  the  foregoing  matter  is 
intended  merely  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  their  names 

231 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD    FLOWERS 

mentally  distinct.  This  will  be  better  appreciated  when 
it  is  considered  that  both  species  blossom  at  about  the 
same  time,  and  often  grow  side  by  side.  The  most 
striking  difference  between  the  Wood  and  Rue  Anemone 
is  found  in  the  roots.  The  former  has  a  thick,  hori- 
zontal root  stock,  while  the  roots  of  the  latter  are  formed 
of  a  small  group  of  little  bulbs,  resembling  tiny  sweet 
potatoes.  The  perfect,  white  flower  is  sometimes 
tinted  with  pink.  It  is  smaller  than  those  of  its  cousin, 
the  Wind  Flower,  and  in  common  with  them,  it  soon 
perishes  after  being  plucked.  From  five  to  ten,  usually 
six,  thin,  oval,  petal-like  sepals  form  the  flower,  which 
varies  from  one-half  to  one  inch  in  diameter.  It  has 
numerous  short,  yellow-tipped,  white,  hair-like  stamens 
clustered  around  the  several  light  green  pistils  in  the 
centre.  Two,  or  generally  three,  flowers  are  borne  on 
slender  stems  in  a  cluster  surrounded  with  a  loose 
whorl  of  three-lobed,  hair-stemmed  leaflets,  the  stems 
of  which  unite  on  the  stalk  with  those  of  the  flowers. 
The  centre  flower  opens  first.  The  single,  slender, 
erect  stem  is  stained  with  red,  and  grows  from  four  to 
nine  inches  high.  The  leaflets  of  the  compound  leaves, 
which  appear  after  the  flowers,  are  grouped  into  threes, 
and  strongly  resemble  those  of  the  Meadow  Rue, 
Their  texture  is  smooth  and  fine,  medium  or  dark 
green  in  colour,  or  at  first  often  tinged  with  red,  and 
notched  into  two  or  three  lobes  on  the  rounding  end. 
They  are  delicately  veined  and  rise  directly  from  the 
roots.  The  Rue  Anemone  is  found  commonly  during 
the  spring  from  March  to  June,  in  thin  woods,  through- 

232 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

out  the  Eastern  United  States,  west  to  Kansas  and 
Minnesota,  and  sparingly  in  Ontario.  Tiie  Latin  name 
is  derived  from  the  Greek  and  means  bound  together. 

WOOD   ANEMONE.     WIND   FLOWER 

Anemone  qutnquefolta.     Crowfoot  Family. 

The  Anemone  has  been  an  especially  favoured  flower 
in  poetics  from  various  sources  of  considerable  antiquity. 
Its  legendary  and  traditional  significance  has  furnished 
an  abundance  of  material  for  the  dear  old  "once  upon 
a  time"  stories  which  every  grandmother  loves  to  tell  to 
boys  and  girls.  When  we  think  of  the  many  windy 
days  that  we  have  during  the  early  spring  and  consider 
that  the  Anemone  blooms  at  the  same  time,  and  that 
their  delicate  stems  make  it  possible  for  them  to  nod 
and  sway  to  and  fro,  this  way  and  that,  with  every 
breath  of  the  wind,  it  is  quite  easy  for  us  to  understand 
why  they  received  the  very  appropriate  name  of  Wind 
Flower.  Anemos,  the  wind  god  of  the  ancient  Greeks, 
utilized  the  Wind  Flower  to  announce  his  presence  and 
to  mark  his  course  in  the  spring.  Pliny  concluded  that 
without  the  grace  of  Anemos,  the  Wind  Flower  would 
not  open,  and  to  this  famous  Roman  naturalist  we 
trace  its  Latin  name.  From  other  sources,  we  learn  that 
the  wind,  after  blowing  through  these  flowers,  was  at 
one  time  supposed  to  cause  disease.  Greek  poets  tell 
us  that  the  Anemone  originated  in  the  tears  dropped 
by  Venus  while  she  was  grieving  in  the  forest  over  the 
tragic  death  of  her  sweetheart,  Adonis.  Again,  we 
are  told  that  the  Romans  believed  that  the  Wind  Flower 

233 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD   FLOWERS 

possessed  some  mystic  charm  to  ward  off  fever,  and 
with  this  faith  they  sought  the  earhest  flower  of  the 
year  with  more  or  less  ceremony,  and  wore  it  attached 
to  their  clothing  with  much  the  same  spirit  probably 
as  we  of  to-day  seek  and  wear  the  four-leaf  Clover. 
The  Anemone  is  also  an  oriental  dignitary,  having  some 
celestial  significance  among  the  Chinese,  who  make 
use  of  it  in  connection  with  their  funeral  rites,  and  it  is 
referred  to  as  the  Death  Flower.  How  times  have 
changed!  If  any  one  dared  to  advance  similar  sup- 
positions in  the  present  era,  they  would,  in  all  proba- 
bility, be  assailed  with  ridicule.  Nevertheless,  the 
Ancients,  though  lacking  much  definite  botanical 
science,  were  undoubtedly  sincere  in  their  belief.  The 
roots  have  some  medicinal  value,  and  one  species  fur- 
nishes a  remedy  for  sore  eyes.  It  is  said  that  cattle  which 
have  fed  on  the  Anemone  have  experienced  poisonous 
symptoms  therefrom.  The  Anemones  follow  closely 
upon  the  heels  of  the  Hepaticas,  Bloodroots,  and  Yellow 
Adder's  Tongues  in  the  floral  contest  for  early  blossom- 
ing in  the  springtime.  They  are  commonly  found  in 
colonies  along  the  margins  of  low  woods,  or  in  some- 
what open  places  along  hillsides  where  the  soil  is  light 
and  partially  shaded,  during  April,  May  and  June. 
They  are  often  clustered  near  the  base  of  old  trees  or 
stumps.  The  beautiful,  delicate  blossoms  are  faintly 
fragrant  and  measure  an  inch  in  diameter.  Four  to 
nine  oval,  petal-like  sepals  take  the  place  of  petals  — 
they  have  no  true  petals  —  and  in  this  respect  they 
resemble  the  flowers  of  the  Marsh  Marigold.    They 

234 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

are  pure  white  or  sometimes  tinted  with  pink  or  blue. 
Numerous  cream-tipped  stamens  are  clustered  about 
the  many  small,  green  pistils  in  the  centre  of  the  slightly 
cupped  solitary  flower  which  is  borne  on  the  tip  of  the 
single,  round,  green  stem,  some  four  or  more  inches 
high.  The  stem  is  smooth  and  slender,  and  is  usually 
stained  with  purple  toward  the  base.  It  grows  at  right 
angles  from  an  elongated,  fleshy,  horizontal  rootstock 
—  a.  storehouse  of  energy,  which  has  so  much  to  do  with 
the  early  flowering  of  the  plant.  The  delicately  tex- 
tured, medium  green  compound  leaves  are  gathered 
on  short  stems  in  a  whorl  of  three  or  sometimes  five 
about  the  flower  stem,  midway  between  the  blossom 
and  the  ground.  The  leaves  are  divided  into  three  or 
five  paddle-shaped  parts  or  lobes,  each  of  which  is 
noticeably  creased  by  a  midrib.  The  centre  lobes  are 
much  larger  than  those  on  either  side.  Their  edges  are 
irregularly  notched.  One  or  more  basal  leaves  appear 
after  the  flowering  season,  rising  directly  from  the  root 
stock  on  long,  individual  stems.  The  entire  plant  is 
perfectly  balanced,  delicate  in  structure  and  graceful 
and  charming  in  appearance.  It  ranges  from  Nova 
Scotia  to  Georgia  and  westward  to  the  Rocky 
Mountains. 

The  Tall  Anemone,  or  Thimble-weed,  A.  virginiana, 
is  a  much  larger  species  growing  singly  in  woods  and 
meadows  throughout  the  same  general  range  as  the 
Wind  Flower,  and  occurring  perhaps  farther  north, 
during  June,  July  and  August.  It  grows  from  two 
to  three   feet  tall  and  is  stout  and  branching,   and 

235 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD    FLOWERS 

slightly  hairy.     The  long-stemmed  leaf  is  three-parted 
and  the  flower  has  five  petal-like  parts. 

VIRGIN'S  BOWER.     TRAVELLER'S  JOY. 
OLD  MAN'S  BEARD 

Clematis  virginiana.     Crowfoot  family. 

If,  perchance,  we  should  be  called  upon  to  suggest  a 
new  name  for  this  beautiful  climbing  vine,  it  is  doubt- 
ful if  one  more  appropriate  or  descriptive  than  the  Wild 
Festoon,  or  perhaps  the  Wood  Garland,  could  be 
applied.  Trailing  gracefully  over  old  rail  fences  and 
stone  walls,  or  clinging  affectionately  to  twig  or  branch 
or  wayside  shrubbery,  the  Traveller's  Joy  bids  a  wel- 
come return  to  the  prodigal,  and  God-speed  to  the 
journeyman.  The  word  travel  really  means  to  toil  or 
labour,  and  it  is  quite  possible  that  the  name  as  it  is 
applied  to  the  Virgin's  Bower  may  have  been  Tra- 
vailer's  Joy  from  the  plant's  habit  of  constant  endeav- 
our to  work  its  way,  or  travail  from  point  to  point  as  it 
progressed.  Accordingly  it  might  have  been  a  cheerful 
inspiration  to  labourers,  or  travellers,  who  also  may 
have  rejoiced  in  its  shade.  Virgin's  Bower  is  a  name 
commonly  applied  to  this  vine,  because  of  its  habit  of 
forming  delightful  shaded  arches  and  fairy-like  castles, 
wherein  maidens  would  fain  dwell.  During  the  fall, 
when  the  seed  clusters  appear  with  long,  curling,  feath- 
ery, grayish  plumes,  their  fancied  resemblance  to  an 
Old  Man's  Beard  is  sufficient  reason  for  the  popular 
application  of  this  name.  The  Clematis  is  a  very  old 
favourite  with  country  people,  and  many  a  stiff',  chro- 

236 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

matic  oil  painting  of  the  Father  of  our  Country  is 
annually  decorated  with  its  plumy  clusters  which  are 
gathered  in  the  fall.  The  Virgin's  Bower  is  a  long, 
slender,  leafy  vine,  having  a  round,  grooved,  and  tough, 
woody  fibred,  -purple  stained,  green  stalk.  The  small, 
white  or  greenish  white  flowers  are  imperfect,  and  the 
staminate  and  pistillate  blossoms  grow  on  separate 
plants.  They  do  not  possess  true  petals,  but  the  four 
or  five  rounded,  oblong,  petal-like  sepals  appear  in  their 
stead.  The  numerous  stamens  and  pistils  are  light 
green  in  colour,  and  the  latter  measure  an  inch  in  length. 
The  expanded  flowers  are  an  inch  broad  and  are 
delicately  fragrant.  They  are  borne  on  short,  slender, 
green  stems,  in  spreading  clusters,  at  the  end  of  the 
vine,  and  from  the  stalk  at  the  leaf  joints.  The  large, 
smooth,  dark  green  leaves  are  set  on  long  stems  in  pairs 
and  the  three,  or  rarely  five,  broad,  oval,  short-stemmed 
leaflets  terminate  acutely  with  long,  tapered  points. 
They  are  slightly  indented  at  the  base,  and  are  promi- 
nently ribbed.  The  edge  or  margin  is  cut  into  a  few 
sharp,  coarse  notches  or  lobes.  During  September 
and  October  the  pistillate  flowers  are  followed  with  the 
curled,  silky,  silvery  plumes  of  withered  styles,  which 
are  even  more  attractive  than  the  flowers,  and  they 
give  the  vine  its  greatest  charm  of  fluffy,  festooning 
drapery.  This  handsome  plant  grows  about  a  dozen 
feet  in  length  and  spreads  along  its  ways,  groping  and 
clinging  by  its  sensitive  leaf  stems,  which  support  the 
vine  by  hooking  on  to,  or  even  coiling  spirally  around 
wkatever  happens  in  their  course  to  afford  favourable 

237 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD   FLOWERS 

gripping  places.  Its  favourite  haunts  are  along  river 
banks  or  moist,  damp  lanes,  and  in  lowlands  about 
waterways,  where  it  may  be  found  from  July  to  Octo- 
ber. It  ranges  from  Georgia  to  Kansas,  northward  to 
Manitoba  and  Nova  Scotia.  Clematis  is  a  name  of 
Dioscorides,  a  Greek  medical  writer,  for  a  climbing 
plant  with  long  and  lithe  branches. 

GOLDTHREAD.     CANKER=ROOT 

Coptis  trifolia.     Crowfoot  Family. 

There  is  no  general  rule  that  will  enable  everyday 
folks  to  recognize  each  wild  flower  by  its  common  name 
at  first  sight.  It  will  be  found  quite  as  necessary  to 
depend  upon  the  imagination  and  reasoning  powers 
as  the  use  of  the  eyes  in  this  respect.  It  is  true  that  as 
one  becomes  better  acquainted  with  various  species,  he 
can  usually  tell  by  some  characteristic  or  peculiarity 
to  what  family  an  individual  belongs,  just  as  we  can 
distinguish  the  Chinaman  by  his  "pig  tail"  and  slanting 
eyes,  or  the  African  by  his  woolly  hair  and  chocolate 
skin;  and  equally  as  well  he  can  tell  the  manner  and 
place  in  which  they  chose  to  live,  even  as  diversified  as 
that  of  the  Esquimaux,  Cliff  Dweller,  or  Hottentot. 
Let  us  take,  for  example,  the  Wind  Flower.  This 
name  might  as  well  have  been  applied  to  the  Hepatica 
or  the  Spring  Beauty,  or  Dandelion,  so  far  as  the  wind 
is  concerned.  On  the  other  hand,  the  name  Spring 
Beauty  could  with  equal  propriety  be  applied  to  the 
Wind  Flower,  Hepatica,  or  a  host  of  other  early  flowers 
for  that  matter.    We  hear  of  a  flower  referred  to  as 

238 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

the  Bloodroot.  The  name  is  very  suggestive  and  has 
real  significance,  but  in  our  search  to  find  it,  we  could 
hardly  be  expected  to  roam  about  puUing  up  every 
strange  flower  to  see  if  its  root  is  full  of  blood.  It 
might  just  as  well  be  called  "bloodstem"  as  its  leaf  and 
flower  stems  have  the  same  "bleeding"  habit  when  they 
are  plucked.  Happily,  however,  many  common  names, 
such  as  Bloodroot,  Cardinal  Flower,  Bluebell,  or 
Wintergreen,  really  assist  in  their  identification.  And 
so  we  come  upon  the  Goldthread.  Hear  the  name 
alone  and  we  might  search  in  vain  for  this  plant  unless 
we  happen  to  uproot  it,  but  the  instant  we  see  the  bright 
rootlets,  we  know  why  it  received  its  name,  and  we  shall 
not  easily  forget  it.  But  imagine  looking  for  wind  in 
the  Wind  Flower,  or  for  the  wind  exclusively  where  this 
Anemone  grows,  and  for  only  one  Spring  Beauty 
when  there  are  dozens  of  wild  flowers  equally  deserving 
the  same  title.  It  is  right  here  that  scientific  classi- 
fication demands  observance,  and  this  subject  is  thus 
briefly  introduced  with  the  sincere  hope  that  the 
reader  will  eventually  become  deeply  interested  in  its 
study.  The  small,  solitary,  glossy-white  flowers  of 
the  Goldthread  appear  from  May  to  August  in  cool, 
moist,  mossy  woods  and  bogs  from  Maryland  and 
Minnesota  to  Alaska.  The  prominent  calyx  might 
easily  be  mistaken  for  petals.  The  sepals  are  narrow 
and  pointed,  white  in  colour,  with  a  yellowish  base,  and 
from  five  to  seven  in  number.  These  petal-like  sepals 
soon  fall  away.  The  five  or  six  real  petals  are  very 
small  and  inconspicuous  and  are  easily  confused  with 

239 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD    FLOWERS 

the  numerous  stamens  and  pistils,  from  which  they  may 
be  distinguished  by  their  club-shaped,  hollow-pointed 
ends.  This  low,  perennial  herb  grows  from  three  to 
five  inches  high.  The  shining,  evergreen,  fan-shaped 
leaves  are  prominently  veined,  and  like  the  flowers, 
they  are  borne  on  long,  slender  stems  rising  directly 
from  the  root.  They  are  compounded  of  three  small, 
wedge-shaped,  dark  green  leaflets  having  sharply 
notched  edges.  The  roots,  from  which  the  common 
name  is  derived,  are  slender  with  numerous  long,  forked, 
bright  yellow,  thread-like  parts.  They  are  quite  bitter 
to  the  taste,  and  yield  a  yellow  dye.  Country  people 
make  a  tea  of  them,  which  is  used  as  an  invigorating 
spring  tonic.  In  New  England  the  steepings  of  the 
dried  roots  are  used  as  a  gargle  for  canker  spots  in  the 
mouth  and  throat,  and  they  are  also  chewed  as  a  remedy 
for  these  affections.  The  scientific  name  Coptis  is 
from  the  Greek,  meaning  to  cut,  and  alludes  to  the 
margins  of  the  leaves. 

BLACK  SNAKEROOT.  BLACK  COHOSH 

Cimic'ifuga  racemosa.     Crowfoot  Family. 

The  attractive,  feathery  spikes  of  the  Black  Snake- 
root  emit  a  rank,  offensive  odour,  and  country  people 
used  to  say  that  they  were  good  for  driving  away  bugs 
and  flies  from  their  rooms.  For  centuries  the  Indians 
regarded  the  thick,  knotted  root  of  this  plant  as  being 
a  certain  cure  for  snake  bites,  and  it  was  a  very  popular 
domestic  remedy  among  their  squaws.  It  was  also 
used  for   relieving  rheumatism,  dropsy  and  hysteria, 

240 


PAINTED  WAKE  ROBIN.     Trillium  undularum 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

and  now  furnishes  a  medicine  for  nervous  affections. 
It  is  a  slender,  tall,  stately,  leafy  stemmed  plant,  grow- 
ing from  three  to  eight  feet  high  in  shady  and  rocky 
woods,  where  it  blossoms  from  June  to  August.  The 
alternating,  long-stemmed  leaves  are  thrice  compounded 
of  thin,  smooth,  pointed-oblong,  and  deeply  toothed  or 
cleft  leaflets.  The  terminal  leaflet  is  often  again 
divided.  The  stamens  of  the  small  white  flowers  are 
exceedingly  numerous  and  give  a  very  soft,  downy 
appearance  to  the  slender  spike  which  forms  the  floral 
arrangement.  This  perennial  herb  is  found  from 
Maine  and  Ontario  to  Wisconsin,  and  south  to  Georgia 
and  Missouri.  The  Latin  name  is  derived  from 
cimex,  a  bug,  and  jugere,  to  drive  away. 

COHOSH.     WHITE   BANEBERRY.      HERB- 
CHRISTOPHER.     RATTLESNAKE  HERB 

Actaea  alba.     Crowfoot  Family. 

Slip  through  the  thicket  that  skirts  the  country 
roadway  and  into  the  damp,  shaded  ravine  or  hillside 
where  the  Jack-in-the-Pulpit  is  capering  during  May, 
and  the  chances  are,  as  you  make  your  way  through 
the  sparse  undergrowth,  that  you  will  unconsciously 
brush  aside  the  large,  soft  leaves  of  the  knee-high 
Cohosh.  The  large,  loose,  fluft'y,  oblong,  and  cylindri- 
cal mass  of  tiny,  fuzzy  flowers  resemble  a  glass  chimney 
or  bottle-cleaner  as  much  as  anything.  The  small 
white  flowers  have  from  three  to  five  petal-like  sepals, 
that  drop  as  they  open,  exposing  from  four  to  ten  tiny, 
narrow,  blunt,  or  claw-tipped  petals  which  soon  fall 

241 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD   FLOWERS 

away,  leaving  the  numerous,  longer,  fine,  hairlike,  and 
white,  yellow-tipped  stamens  expanded  into  small  airy 
balls,  each  with  its  single  pistil  bearing  a  prominent, 
two  lobed  stigma.  The  flowers  are  borne  on  short 
stems  which  grow  out  from  the  main  stem  at  right  angles 
and  with  a  deliberate  gesture  that  gives  the  blos- 
soms and  the  later  appearing  fruit  a  decidedly  poised 
appearance.  The  clustered  flowers  open  with  almost 
one  accord  along  the  end  of  the  long,  pale  green  stalk. 
Their  odour  is  coarse  and  unpleasant.  The  leaves 
are  large,  open,  and  of  rather  fine  and  soft  texture  with 
the  veins  showing  effectively.  They  are  dark  green  in 
colour  and  are  more  or  less  deeply  cut  into  three  distinct 
and  acute  lobes.  They  are  arranged  in  threes  and  are 
compounded  again,  sometimes  twice  or  three  times. 
The  margins  are  sharply  notched  and  irregular.  The 
green,  leafy  stem  is  small,  round,  grooved,  and  slender, 
and  the  leaflets  are  attached  with  or  without  short  stems. 
The  flower  stem  unites  with  the  stalk  at  the  junction 
of  the  leaf  stems.  The  plant  has  a  single,  erect  stalk 
branching  near  the  top,  and  is  a  perennial.  The 
most  striking  feature  of  the  Cohosh  appears  during 
September  in  the  form  of  short,  plump,  bean-like 
berries,  pure  white  in  colour  and  marked  with  a  con- 
spicuous, deep  purple  spot.  The  entire  end  of  the 
flower  stem,  which  bears  the  fruit,  is  bright  scarlet  in 
colour  at  this  time.  It  is  noticeably  thick,  and  the 
entire  effect  is  stiff  and  waxy.  The  berries  are  said 
to  have  some  poisonous  qualities.  In  Massachusetts, 
these  berries  are  known  as  "  Dolls'-eyes."     The  White 

242 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  .a:nd  greenish 

Baneberry  is  found  during  April,  May  and  June,  from 
Nova  Scotia  to  Georgia  and  west  to  Missouri  and  Brit- 
ish Columbia.  Acfaea  is  an  ancient  name  of  the  Alder. 
The  Red  Baneberry,  A.  rubra,  is  a  similar  species, 
more  common  northward  than  the  above,  and  having 
less  pointed  and  more  broadened  leaves.  Its  principal 
difference  appears  in  its  oval,  cherry-red  berries  which 
are  borne  on  slender  stems.  It  is  found  from  New 
Jersey  and  Pennsylvania  west  to  the  Rocky  Mountains 
and  north  to  Nova  Scotia. 

MAY  APPLE.     MANDRAKE.     WILD  LEMON. 
HOG   APPLE 

Podophyllum  peltatum.     Barberry  Family. 

The  May  Apple  does  not  await  the  passing  of  April 
showers  before  preparing  to  attend  May's  annual 
floral  festival.  But  with  an  air  of  seeming  indifference 
and  independence,  as  though  borne  of  impatience, 
it  boldly  defies  the  rain  with  its  handsome  leaves 
arranged  like  a  closed  umbrella  around  its  slender  stalk 
and  which  gradually  expand  as  they  clear  the  ground. 
Excepting  their  bronzed-green  colour,  when  they  have 
just  emerged  from  the  earth,  they  have  much  the  same 
appearance  as  a  bit  of  oily  rag  after  having  been  forced 
through  a  rifle  barrel  on  the  end  of  a  cleaning  rod. 
They  are  popularly  known  as  Umbrella  Plants  by 
children  who  roam  the  woods  in  early  spring,  and  they 
surely  deserve  this  name.  The  wild  Mandrake  is  an 
interesting  perennial  herb  with  a  distinctive,  cleancut, 
and  well-balanced  appearance.      Its    single,   smooth, 

243 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD    FLOWERS 

round,  stiff,  fibrous  stalk  grows  from  twelve  to  eigh- 
teen inches  high,  from  a  long,  running  rootstock. 
It  is  pale  green  in  colour,  and  its  base  is  sheathed  with 
a  dry,  tough  casing.  There  are  two  sets  of  leaves, 
one  of  which,  the  larger,  often  measures  a  foot  in  dia- 
meter, and  is  borne  on  a  long  stem  from  a  rootstcok 
which  produces  no  flowers.  These  leaves  are  smooth 
and  glossy  and  deeply  cleft  into  seven,  eight,  or  nine 
long,  arrow-shaped  lobes  which  diverge  from  the  stem. 
They  are  rather  thin-textured,  and  the  colour  is  dark 
green  above  and  lighter  beneath.  The  lobes  are  two- 
cleft,  and  they  are  toothed  at  the  apex.  The  ribs  and 
veins  are  conspicuous.  The  other  set  of  leaves  are 
borne  on  a  separate  flowering  stalk.  They  are  smaller 
and  similar,  and  from  one  to  three,  usually  two,  spread 
from  a  forked  joint  between  which  hangs  the  pretty, 
solitary,  nodding,  waxy-white  flower  on  its  short  stem. 
Owing  to  the  large,  spreading  leaves,  the  flower  might 
easily  be  overlooked  at  first  glance.  It  is  two  inches 
broad  when  fully  expanded.  The  bud  case  is  enclosed 
in  three  temporary  bracts,  and  as  the  petals  open 
the  six  sepals  fall  away.  The  ovate  petals  are  slightly 
concave,  and  from  six  to  nine  of  them  form  a  very 
pretty  saucer-shaped  flower.  They  are  thick- textured, 
and  beautifully  networked  with  fine  veins.  The 
stamens  have  prominent  yellow  anthers,  which  are 
arranged  in  a  circle  around  the  large,  thick  pistil. 
The  blossom  has  an  odour  that  is  neither  pleasing  nor 
repulsive.  The  Wild  Lemon  gets  its  name  from 
the  large,  lemon-shaped  yellow  fruit,  which  ripens  in 

244 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

July.  It  also  resembles  a  small  yellow,  egg-shaped 
tomato,  such  as  are  used  for  preserving.  In  some 
localities  in  the  South,  where  the  hogs  are  allowed  to 
roam  at  will,  they  feed  upon  this  fleshy  seed  case,  and 
consequently  the  plant  is  known  by  the  inappropriate 
name  of  Hog  Apple.  The  fruit  is  sweetish,  slightly 
acid  to  the  taste,  has  a  sickish  flavour,  and  is  the  only 
part  of  the  plant  that  can  be  eaten  with  impunity.  This 
plant  is  not  a  true  Mandrake,  although  this  name  is 
commonly  applied  to  it.  The  leaves,  stalk,  and  stems 
of  the  May  Apple  are  poisonous  if  taken  internally, 
and  these  parts  should  not  be  placed  in  the  mouth. 
The  root  contains  powerful  medicinal  properties  that 
are  likely  to  cause  serious  effects  unless  administered  by 
a  physician  in  small  quantities.  The  Latin  name 
is  derived  from  pons,  podes,  a  foot,  and  phyllon,  a  leaf, 
alluding  to  a  fancied  resemblance  of  the  leaf  to  the 
webbed  foot  of  a  duck.  The  fruit  of  this  species 
should  not  be  confused  with  the  May  Apple  of  New 
England  which  is  altogether  different.  The  latter 
is  a  curious,  pulpy  growth  occurring  upon  the  Azalea 
or  Swamp  Honeysuckle.  The  Mandrake  is  more  or 
less  common  in  low,  rich  woods  where  the  ground  is 
shaded  and  moist.  It  ranges  from  Quebec  and 
Ontario  to  Minnesota,  Florida,  Louisiana,  and  Texas. 

BLOODROOT.      INDIAN    PAINT.       RED     PUCCOON 

Sanguinaria  canadensis.     Poppy  Family. 

The  Bloodroot  is  one  of  the  very  earliest  spring 
flowers.     Long  before  the  trees  and  shrubs  take  on 

245 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD   FLOWERS 

their  vernal  foliage,  the  flower  stalks  press  through  the 
leafmould  with  the  buds  snugly  enfolded  in  a  delicate 
silvery,  paper-like  leaf  that  seems  to  serve  like  the 
cape  of  a  debutante,  from  which  emerges  the  single, 
stately  bud,  corsaged  in  a  two-parted  green  calyx. 
While  the  leaf  is  expanding,  the  bud  continues  to  rise 
for  several  inches,  and  then,  fully  developed,  sud- 
denly bursts  open,  dropping  its  calyx  and  exposing 
its  six,  eight  or  more  beautiful,  snowy  white  petals, 
and  a  brilliant  golden  yellow  centre  of  some  twenty 
odd  pyramided  stamens.  The  petals  are  long,  narrow 
and  taper  at  either  end.  The  alternating  inner  four 
are  distinctly  narrower  than  the  outer  ones,  and  form 
a  square,  rather  than  a  perfectly  round  outline.  On 
bright,  sunny  days  the  lovely,  solitary  blossom  expands 
almost  flat,  and  the  tips  of  the  petals  curve  upward 
with  a  graceful  tilt.  They  close  at  night,  and  remain 
partly  folded  on  dull  days.  They  are  very  fragile,  and 
of  few  days'  duration.  Wind  and  rain  are  their  undoing 
and  unless  closely  watched  for,  they  are  more  than 
likely  gone  to  seed  ere  their  beauty  has  been  observed. 
The  blossom  is  often  an  inch  and  a  half  broad  and 
is  sometimes  tinted  with  pink.  Soon  after  the  flower 
is  spent  the  leaves  reach  the  height  of  ten  or  twelve 
inches,  and  a  narrow,  pointed  seed  pod  matures  in 
their  shadow.  The  pale,  yellow  green  stems  are  tinged 
with  red.  The  leaves,  usually  two,  or  often  one,  are 
large,  coarse-looking,  and  rounded,  deeply  lobed  or 
heart-shaped  at  the  base,  and  toward  the  end  more  or 
less   indented,  with   from   one   to   five   smaller   lobes, 

246 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

with  their  edges  slightly  toothed.  The  smooth,  rich 
green  upper  surface  is  strongly  veined,  and  the  under 
side  is  silvery  white  and  coarsely  veined.  The  thick, 
fleshy,  blunt-ended,  perennial  root  contains  a  copious 
deep  orange-red  sap  which  is  both  acid  and  astringent. 
This  sap  is  also  present  in  the  stems  and  leaves  and 
they  "bleed"  instantly  when  broken.  The  Indians 
made  ample  use  of  the  Bloodroot.  The  brilHantly 
coloured  juice  was  used  for  staining  their  faces  and 
arms  when  preparing  themselves  for  their  peace  or 
war  dances.  The  squaws  utilized  it  also  for  decorat- 
ing skins  and  baskets.  It  served  their  medicine  men 
when  catering  to  their  bodily  ailments.  At  the  present 
time  Bloodroot  is  employed  as  a  remedy  in  bron- 
chial troubles.  Many  grandmothers  can  tell  how  they 
used  to  dole  out  drops  of  its  bitterish  blood  on  a  spoon- 
ful of  soft  sugar  to  those  of  the  family  circle  who 
became  aflflicted  with  a  cough  or  a  cold.  Sangui- 
naria  vinegar,  made  from  the  rootstock,  has  a  domes- 
tic ring,  and  is  used  locally  for  ringworm  and  also 
as  a  gargle  for  sore  throat.  Bloodroot  is  found  from 
Nova  Scotia  to  Ontario  and  Nebraska,  southward  to 
Florida  and  Arkansas,  during  April  and  May.  It 
prefers  rich,  open  woodlands,  and  especially  rocky 
slopes  where  the  soil  is  loose  and  well  drained. 

DUTCHMAN'S    BREECHES.     SOLDIERS'  CAPS 

Dicentra  CucuUaria.     Fumitory  Family. 

Perhaps,   in   the   olden   days   when   the   elfs   made 
merry  in  the  woodland  dells,  they  were  dressed  in  tiny, 

247 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD    FLOWERS 

white,  corduroy  panties.  Perhaps,  one  night  dur- 
ing the  springtime,  they  were  caught  in  an  April 
shower  and  their  pretty  white  panties  became  soiled, 
and  perhaps  their  mammas  washed  them,  and  hung 
them  out  to  dry  on  a  stem,  and  perhaps  they  grew 
fast  to  the  stem  —  who  knows  ?  Surely  the  dainty  and 
curiously  constructed  flowers  of  the  Dutchman's 
Breeches  would  cause  one  to  think  so  when  he  first 
saw  them.  The  finely  ribbed,  white,  yellow-tipped 
flowers  consist  of  two  upright,  hollow,  flattened  and 
tapered  spurs,  widely  separated  at  the  tips,  like  a 
pair  of  horns,  and  joined  toward  the  base,  forming 
a  baggy,  heart-shaped  pouch  —  for  all  the  world  like 
a  miniature  pair  of  inverted  pantaloons,  which  were 
so  becoming  to  the  dear,  good  old  ancestors  of  our 
own  Pennsylvania  Dutch.  The  two  leg-like  spurs 
are  in  reality  petals,  of  which  there  are  four.  The 
other  two  are  very  small  and  narrow,  and  at  right 
angles  with  the  two  longer  ones  and  their  hollowed 
tips  are  extended  to  form  an  arch  over  the  slightly  pro- 
truding, yellow  stamens,  of  which  there  are  six.  The 
green  style  is  very  slender  and  is  capped  with  a  two- 
lobed  stigma.  The  flowers  are  daintily  suspended  by 
a  short  stem,  one  after  another,  toward  the  tip  of  a 
slender  and  slightly  curving,  pale  green  stalk,  which 
grows  from  five  to  ten  inches  high.  The  whitish, 
two-parted  sepal  is  exceedingly  small.  The  minutely 
crested  flowers  vary  in  number  from  one  or  two  to 
seven,  eight  or  nine.  They  are  delicately  textured, 
and  of  brief  endurance.     Frequently  they  are  tinted 

248 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

with  a  delicate  pink,  and  have  a  sHght  odour.  The 
petals  soon  fall  away  and  leave  an  oblong  seed  pod  to 
mature.  The  rather  large,  thrice  compound,  delicate 
green  leaves  are  divided  again  and  again  into  sec- 
tions of  three,  and  present  a  well-grouped,  thick  and 
feathery  appearance.  They  are  a  shade  lighter  in 
colour  underneath,  and  are  gracefully  suspended  from 
long,  slender  stems  which  rise  from  the  root.  The 
root  is  composed  of  a  number  of  small  tubers,  closely 
clustered  together  and  having  the  appearance  of  a 
scaly  bulb.  Sometimes  these  clusters  may  be  found 
partially  exposed,  where  they  have  been  washed  out 
of  the  banks  by  heavy  rains,  and  then  they  have  a 
decidedly  red  colour.  The  plant  is  perennial,  and 
occurs  commonly  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Lake  Huron. 
Minnesota  and  Washington,  and  southward  to  North 
Carolina,  Nebraska,  and  Missouri.  Look  for  the  Dutch- 
man's Breeches  early  in  April  and  May  along  rocky  hill- 
sides, in  rich,  open  woods,  where  they  may  be  found  in 
scattered  groups,  covering  a  considerable  area.  The 
Latin  name,  Dicentra,  means  double  spur.  The  beau- 
tiful Bleeding  Heart,  D.  eximia,  cultivated  in  our  gar- 
dens, is  a  member  of  this  decorative  family,  and  is  a 
native  of  Japan,  from  whence  it  has  been  introduced. 
Squirrel  Corn,  D.  canadensis,  is  a  similar  species, 
having  its  greenish  white  petals  stained  with  purple 
instead  of  yellow,  and  is  slightly  fragrant.  It  is  named 
from  the  appearance  of  its  granular  roots,  which  are 
also  said  to  be  relished  by  the  squirrels.  The  spurs 
are  short  and  rounded,  and  the  crested  inner  petals 

249 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD   FLOWERS 

project  conspicuously.  The  leaves  are  decidedly 
whitish  on  the  under  side.  This  species  comes  into 
blossom  about  a  month  later  than  the  preceding,  or 
during  May  and  June,  and  is  inclined  to  rich  woods 
in  the  cooler  portions  of  its  range.  The  tubers  are  said 
to  be  used  as  a  tonic  and  as  a  remedy  for  skin  diseases. 

PEPPERQRASS 

Leptdium  vtrgimcum.     Mustard  Family. 

Peppergrass  is  common  everywhere  along  road- 
sides and  in  fields  from  the  West  Indies  and  the  Gulf 
States  northward  to  Minnesota  and  Quebec.  It  is 
known  by  every  schoolboy  in  the  land,  who  has  nibbled 
its  peppery  buds  and  seed  cases,  time  and  again.  The 
plant  is  somewhat  similar  to  the  Shepherd's  Purse,  but 
is  more  branching,  and  the  seed-pods  are  set  closer 
and  less  sprawling  on  the  stems.  The  upper  part  of 
this  plant  is  more  leafy,  and  the  colour  is  possibly  a 
paler  green.  The  leaves  of  the  basal  rosette  are  less 
divided  and  more  paddle-shaped  with  their  edges 
nearly  all  toothed.  The  four  white  petals  of  the  minute 
flower  are  often  wanting.  The  flat,  notched,  scale- 
like seed-cases  are  loosely  arranged  around  the  ever- 
lengthening  flower  stalk,  and  they  graduate  finely  into 
the  few  flowers  and  buds  at  the  tip. 

SHEPHERD'S  PURSE 

Capsella  Bursa-pastoris.     Mustard  Family. 

The  Shepherd's  Purse  takes  its  name  from  the  little, 
fiat,  triangular  seed-pods,  which  are  the  plant's  most 

250 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

conspicuous  production.  It  is  found  the  world  over, 
from  one  end  of  the  year  to  the  other.  It  was  intro- 
duced into  this  country  from  Europe  and  is,  perhaps, 
our  most  common  weed.  It  is  found  in  blossom  from 
April  to  September,  and  prospers  in  waste  places,  and 
along  paths  and  roadsides  everywhere.  It  resembles 
the  Sweet  Alyssum  of  our  garden  borders,  to  which  it  is 
related.  The  branching  stalk  rises  from  a  long,  deep 
root  to  a  height  of  from  six  to  twenty  inches.  Four 
little  white  petals  and  six  tiny  stamens,  two  of  which 
are  shorter  than  the  others,  one  pistil,  and  four  early 
falling,  fuzzy  sepals  form  this  insignificant  flower, 
which  is  borne  in  a  small  terminal  cluster.  As  the  stem 
grows,  the  flowers  continue  to  blossom  and  graduate 
into  the  small,  wedge-shaped  seed  cases  after  they 
mature.  The  long,  narrow  leaves  form  a  large  rosette 
at  the  base  of  the  stalk  and  they  are  deeply  divided  into 
numerous,  irregular  pointed  parts  which  are  arranged 
in  pairs,  with  a  larger,  terminal  lobe.  The  few  alternat- 
ing stem  leaves  are  lance-shaped  with  the  margins 
more  or  less  toothed.  They  are  stemless  and  clasp  the 
stalk  with  an  arrow-shaped  base.  The  lower  part  of 
the  plant  is  often  covered  with  fine,  forked  hairs.  The 
plant  has  some  medicinal  qualities. 

TWO-LEAVED  TOOTHWORT.      CRINKLEROOT 

Dentaria  diphylla.     Mustard  Family. 

Country  people  will  tell  you  that  the  roots  of  the 
Crinkleroot  make  a  mighty  tasty  sandwich,  and  if  you 
happen  to  walk  through  the  woods  with  them  during 

251 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD   FLOWERS 

May,  they  will  dig  up  a  few  pieces  and  let  you  nibble 
on  them,  or  if  you  are  really  hungry  these  roots  will  form 
a  delightful  addition  to  your  little  lunch  of  home-made 
bread,  cold  meat  and  hard-boiled  eggs  at  the  spring 
where  you  stop  to  eat  and  rest.  The  crinkled,  edible 
root  is  considered  of  greater  importance  than  the 
flowers,  although  without  the  attraction  of  the  latter, 
they  would  not  be  so  easily  found.  It  is  crisp  and 
fleshy  and  tastes  much  like  watercress.  It  grows 
horizontally  from  five  to  ten  inches  long  and  is  often 
branched,  crinkled  and  toothed,  from  which  formation 
it  takes  its  name.  The  pretty  white  flowers  have  the 
cross-shaped  ear-mark  that  brands  every  member  of 
the  Mustard  tribe.  They  are  often  found  mingled  with 
the  Anemone  and  the  Spring  Beauty  and  their  kind  in 
the  spring.  The  stem,  which  is  stout  and  smooth, 
rises  directly  from  the  rootstock  from  eight  to  fourteen 
inches  in  height.  The  flower  has  four  rounded  petals 
which  are  arranged  in  opposite  pairs  and  are  spreading 
at  the  apex.  They  are  over  half  an  inch  in  diameter 
and  are  borne  in  a  small,  terminal  cluster.  The  four 
green  sepals  drop  early,  and  two  of  the  six  yellow 
stamens  are  noticeably  smaller  than  the  others.  The 
single  slender  pistil  ripens  into  a  flat,  lance-shaped  pod. 
The  large,  smooth  leaves  are  divided  into  three  short- 
stemmed  broad,  wedge-shaped  leaflets  with  toothed 
edges.  They  are  set  on  long  stems  springing  from  the 
rootstock.  Two  somewhat  smaller  leaves  are  set 
nearly  opposite  each  other  on  the  upper  part  of  the 
flower  stalk.      The  Crinkleroot  grows  in  pretty  clusters, 

252 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

preferably  in  rich  leaf  mould,  in  woods  and  meadows, 
from  Nova  Scotia  and  New  Brunswick,  to  Lake 
Superior  and  Minnesota,  south  to  South  Carolina  and 
Kentucky. 

The  Cut-leaved  Toothwort  or  Pepper-root,  D. 
laciniata,  is  found  during  April,  May  and  June,  in  moist 
or  rich  woods  from  Florida  and  Louisiana  northward 
to  Minnesota  and  Quebec.  The  rootstock  is  deeply 
seated  and  its  jointed  appearance  has  likened  it  to  a 
beaded  necklace.  It  is  edible  and  has  a  pungent  and 
peppery  taste.  The  flowers  are  nearly  three-quarters 
of  an  inch  broad  and  the  petals  are  white,  usually 
tinted  with  pink.  The  upper  leaves  are  three-parted, 
having  the  outer  parts  often  divided  with  two  uneven 
clefts.  All  the  parts  are  sharply  toothed  or  lobed, 
and  their  general  shape  is  narrowly  oblong  or  lanceolate. 
Three  leaves  are  set  on  short  stems  in  a  whorl,  well  up 
on  the  flower  stalk.  The  similar  basal  leaves  are 
rarely  developed  at  the  time  of  flowering.  The  blos- 
soms are  arranged  like  those  of  the  Crinkleroot. 

ROUND=LEAVED  SUNDEW.      DEW=PLANT. 
ROSA=SOLIS.      YOUTH=WORT 

Drosera  rotund t folia.     Sundew  Family. 

It  is  exceedingly  interesting  to  ponder  over  the 
unlimited  resources  of  Nature,  which  enable  her  to 
rise  to  any  emergency.  The  Audubon  Society  will  tell 
you  that  a  horrible  famine  might  result  if  it  were  not 
for  the  birds  that  hold  in  check  untold  hoards  of  insects. 
But  it  is  easy  for  an  observer  in  botany  to  conjecture 

253 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD   FLOWERS 

that  if  this  task  of  extermination  had  not  been  success- 
fully  maintained   by   the   birds,   the   same  economic 
condition  would  have  been  developed  in  certain  plants. 
And  while  we  listen  to  reports  of  decreasing  bird  life, 
it  is  well  to  consider  that  there  is  also  a  corresponding 
increase  in  plant  life.     While  certain  birds  are  really 
becoming  rare  or  even  extinct,  so  are  certain  flowers. 
On  the  other  hand,  certain  birds  are  increasing,  and 
even  so  are  certain  flowers.     So  we  find  an  active  work- 
ing force  with  an  assisting  support  and  an  unlimited 
reserve  always  available.     The  latter  includes  certain 
fungi   that   attack   and   overcome   swarms   of   insects 
besides  the  real  catch-them-alive  plants  like  the  Venus 
Flytrap,  Pitcher  Plant,   Dogbane,   Catchfiy,  and  the 
Sundew.     The  last  is  a  small  flowered  species  having  a 
smooth,  red,  slender  flowering  stalk,  rising  from  four 
to  ten  inches  high  from  a  low  spreading  rosette  of  the 
most  curious  leaves.     This  remarkable,  small,  circular 
green  leaf  is  suddenly  narrowed  into  a  short,  flat,  hairy 
stem.     The  upper  surface  is  slightly  hollowed,  and  is 
covered  with  irregular,  fine,  reddish  hairs,  which  exude 
a  colourless,  sticky  fluid  from  their  tips,  that  sparkles 
like  dew  drops.     These  transparent,  glittering  drops 
are  peculiar  to  the  Sundews  and  seem  to  attract  tiny 
passing  insects  which,  alighting  on  the  leaf,  immediately 
become  stuck   in  the  gummy  substance.     Then  the 
slowly  curling  hairs  hopelessly  entangle  their  struggling 
prisoner,  and  finally  the  leaf,  closing  inward,  enfolds  its 
victim  and  ends  its  life.     At  this  stage  the  leaf  literally 
digests  its  prey  with  the  aid  of  a  new  flow  of  a  peptic 

254 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

liquid  not  unlike  gastric  juice  in  the  stomach  of  animals. 
A  dozen  or  less  tiny  white  flowers  are  borne  along  one 
side  of  the  drooping,  terminal  end  of  the  stalk.  They 
open  only  in  the  sunshine  and  but  one  or  two  at  a  time. 
This  is  a  rather  inconspicuous  little  plant  and  is  likely 
to  be  overlooked.  It  has  a  very  short  rootstock  and 
yields  a  purple  stain  to  paper.  It  is  found  commonly 
during  June,  July  and  August  in  bogs  or  wet,  sandy 
ground  from  Labrador  to  Alaska,  south  to  Florida  and 
Alabama,  and  in  the  Sierra  Nevadas  to  Montana  and 
California. 

EARLY  SAXIFRAGE 
Saxifraga  virgtniensis.  Saxifrage  Family. 
Early  in  March  the  pretty  little  white  flowers  of  the 
Saxifrage  blossom  in  numerous  spreading  groups, 
which  are  loosely  clustered  on  the  tops  of  long,  thick, 
often  sticky,  hairy  stems.  This  plant  grows  from 
four  to  twelve  inches  high  and  loves  to  dwell  in  dry 
or  rocky  hillsides  and  woodlands,  where  it  usually  roots 
in  small  chinks  or  crevices  among  the  rocks.  Its  name 
is  derived  from  the  Greek,  meaning  rock-breaker  and 
alludes  to  its  fabled  power  to  rend  apart  the  rocks 
where  it  is  generally  found  growing.  It  also  has  some 
significance  in  reference  to  certain  bodily  ailments  which 
it  was  supposed  to  cure.  The  small,  smooth,  oval 
leaves  taper  to  a  rounding  point  and  narrow  at  their 
base  into  broad  stems.  They  are  thick  textured  and 
their  edges  are  scalloped.  They  are  gathered  into  a 
small,  compact  and  rounded  tuft  near  the  ground. 
The  flowers  have  five  pointed  petals,  ten  yellow  stamens, 

255 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD   FLOWERS 

and  a  five-parted  light  green  calyx.  They  continue  to 
bloom  into  May  and  are  found  from  New  Brunswick 
to  Minnesota,  south  to  Georgia  and  Tennessee. 

FALSE  MITREWORT.      FOAM-FLOWER. 
COOLWORT 

Ttarella  cordifolia.     Saxifrage  Family. 

The  form  of  the  pistil  of  the  False  Mitrewort  is 
responsible  for  its  Latin  name,  meaning  a  little  tiara  or 
turban.  The  slender,  hairy  flowering  stalk  rises  from 
six  to  twelve  inches  high  from  the  rootstock  or  runners, 
as  do  the  long-stemmed  and  often  mottled  leaves. 
The  latter  are  broadly  heart-shaped  at  the  base  and  are 
unevenly  and  sharply  lobed  and  toothed.  They  are 
sparingly  hairy  above,  and  downy  on  the  veinings 
beneath.  The  five  clawed,  white,  pointed-oblong 
petals  are  supported  with  a  white  bell-shaped  calyx, 
and  the  ten  long,  slender,  orange-tipped  stamens  pro- 
ject and  give  the  flower  a  soft,  fuzzy  appearance.  The 
flowers  are  loosely  clustered  in  terminal,  feathery  and 
graceful  spires.  The  Coolwort  grows  in  dense  masses 
and  in  the  late  summer  the  foliage  becomes  discoloured 
and  brown.  It  is  found  in  bloom  during  April  and  May 
in  rich,  moist,  rocky  woods  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Ontario 
and  Minnesota,  and  south  in  the  mountain  districts  to 
Georgia,  Indiana  and  Michigan. 

TWO-LEAVED=BISHOP'S  CAP.     MITREWORT 

Mitella  diphylla.     Saxifrage  Family. 

The  form  of  the  young  seed-pot  of  this  plant  sug- 
gested its  Latin  name,  from  ?mtra,  a  cap.    The  slender, 

256 


MAY  APPLE.     MANDRAKE.     Podophyllum  peltatum 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

hairy  flowering  stalk  is  quite  naked  excepting  for  a 
pair  of  nearly  stemless  opposite  leaves  halfway  up  its 
length.  Other  leaves  are  borne  singly  on  long,  hairy, 
slender  root  stems.  They  are  broad-oval,  pointed  at 
the  tip  and  deeply  heart-shaped  at  the  base.  They 
have  three  or  five  unevenly  scalloped  or  toothed  lobes 
and  are  rather  thin  with  the  ribs  and  veins  showing. 
The  bewitching  little  flower  has  its  five  white  petals 
finely  cut  and  -fringed,  and  immediately  suggests  the 
form  of  a  tiny,  star-like  snow  or  frost  crystal.  It  has 
ten  protruding  yellow  stamens  and  a  little  white,  bell- 
shaped  calyx.  The  flowers  are  clustered  on  short 
stems  in  an  open,  terminal,  wand-like  spike  and  are 
found  during  April  and  May  in  rich,  open  woods  and 
on  moist  banks,  from  Quebec  to  Minnesota,  North 
Carolina  and  Missouri. 

CAROLINA  GRASS  OF  PARNASSUS 

Parnassia  caroltniana.     Saxifrage  Family. 

A  pretty  five-petaled  perennial,  growing  from  eight 
to  twenty-four  inches  high,  in  swamps  and  low  meadows, 
from  New  Brunswick  and  Manitoba,  south  to  Virginia, 
Illinois  and  Iowa.  The  spreading,  broad,  oval  petals 
are  white  or  creamy  white,  veined  with  delicate,  pale- 
green  lines.  Five  stamens  with  large  anthers  alternate 
with  the  petals  and  numerous  straw-coloured,  imperfect 
stamens  are  clustered  around  the  green  pistil.  The 
solitary  flower  is  borne  on  a  long,  slender  stem  rising 
from  a  loose  cluster  of  basal  leaves.  Part  way  up  the 
flower-stem  is  a  single  clasping  leaf.     The  long,  thick- 

257 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD    FLOWERS 

stemmed,  heart-shaped  leaf  is  toothless,  thick-textured 
and  blunt-pointed.  It  is  often  partly  curled  inward 
like  a  scoop  and  is  found  in  blossom  from  June  to 
September.  This  genus  has  been  named  from  the 
Greek  Mount  Parnassus,  and  the  plant  was  called 
Grass  of  Parnassus  by  Dioscorides.  Six  or  seven 
species  are  found  in  this  country. 

WILLOW=LEAVED,  OR  AMERICAN    MEADOW- 
SWEET.      QUEEN  OF  THE  MEADOW. 
QUAKER  LADY 

Spiraea  salicifolia.     Rose  Family. 

The  large,  fleecy  pyramids  of  delicate,  pink-tinted 
white  flowers  of  this  pretty  maid-of-the-mist  enlighten 
the  rank  growths  peculiar  to  low,  moist  situations, 
from  June  to  August.  Its  smooth,  tough,  leafy, 
yellowish  brown  stalk  grows  from  two  to  four  feet  high 
and  is  often  branching  at  the  top.  The  closely  set 
alternating  leaves  are  oval  or  oblong,  with  pointed 
tips  and  finely  toothed  margins.  They  are  rather 
firm-textured,  nearly  smooth,  and  short-stemmed. 
The  dainty  little  flowers  have  five  slightly  curved  and 
rounding  petals  and  many  rosy  stamens,  which  pro- 
ject and  lend  a  feathery  appearance.  They  are 
densely  clustered  on  terminal  spires.  These  blossoms 
have  a  slight  odour  but  they  are  not  at  all  fragrant, 
and  in  this  respect  the  name  of  Meadow-sweet  is  mis- 
leading, although  it  does  apply  to  the  simple  attractive- 
ness of  the  plant.  This  species  is  found  from  Newfound- 
land to  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  south  to  Georgia 
and  Missouri;    also   in   Europe  and  Asia.     Spiraea, 

2^8 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

derived  from  speria,  meaning  band  or  wreath,  is  an 
ancient  Greek  name  of  a  plant  used  for  garlands. 

THE   BLACKBERRIES 

Rosaceae.     Rose  Family. 

The  starry  white  flowers  of  the  Blackberries  are  very 
conspicuous  and  exceedingly  common  during  May  and 
June,  when  they  smother  the  tangled,  bristly  bramble 
patches  with  their  fluffy,  snowy  whiteness.  Owing  to  the 
numerous  prickles  with  which  the  stems  are  armed,  the 
showy  flowers  are  not  popular  as  a  nosegay.  The  fruit 
ripens  during  July  and  August.  It  is  at  first  green, 
then  red,  and  finally  black,  graduating  through  the 
intermediate  shades  as  it  matures.  Blackberry  jam 
is  one  of  the  oldest  cupboard  favourites  in  the  sweet- 
meat line,  and  blackberry  brandy  or  cordial  is  a  simple 
and  popular  remedy,  much  respected  as  an  adjunct  to 
the  family  medicine  chest.  The  syrup  is  made  from 
the  roots  as  well  as  from  the  juice  of  the  ripe  fruit. 

WILD,  VIRGINIA    OR  SCARLET  STRAWBERRY 

Fragaria  virgtnihna.      Rose  Family. 

John  Greenleaf  Whittier  twanged  a  sympathetic 
chord  that  will  vibrate  for  generations  to  come,  when 
he  exalted  the  Barefoot  Boy, 

"With  thy  red  lips;  redder  still 
Kissed  by  strawberries  on  the  hill." 

And  it  is  quite  evident  that  the  great  poet  himself  had 
enjoyed  the  flavour  and  fragrance  of  the  Wild  Straw- 
berry.    Indeed,  it  is  a  delightful  privilege  that  many 

259 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD    FLOWERS 

of  US  have  experienced.  The  hairy  leaf  and  fllower 
stems  rise  directly  from  the  running  roots.  They  are 
from  two  to  six  inches  long  and  are  sheathed  at  the  base. 
The  wheel-shaped  flower  has  five  short-clawed,  rounded 
white  petals  and  numerous  orange-yellow  stamens 
with  a  green,  cone-shaped  centre.  The  five  green 
sepals  are  alternated  with  an  equal  number  of  bracts 
which  show  between  the  petals.  Later,  after  the 
petals  fall  away,  the  sepals  remain  closely  set  to  the 
maturing  fruit.  Several  flowers  are  loosely  clustered 
on  short  foot  stems  from  which,  later  on,  the  attrac- 
tive berry  droops  prettily.  The  compound  leaf  has 
three  toothed  and  broad  wedge-shaped  hairy  leaflets 
that  overtop  the  fruit.  They  form  little  dark  green 
tufts  in  scattered  patches  in  fields,  pastures  and  along 
woodsides,  flowering  from  April  to  June,  and  often 
again  during  August,  from  New  Brunswick  to  South 
Dakota,  and  South  to  Florida,  Louisiana  and  Arizona. 

WHITE   AVENS 

Geum  canadense.     Rose  Family, 

The  slender,  branching,  angular  stem  of  the  com- 
mon White  Avens  grows  about  eighteen  inches  high 
in  moist,  shady  places  and  blossoms  from  June  to 
August.  The  large,  tufted,  long-stemmed,  basal  leaves 
have  from  three  to  five  unequal  divisions  or  are  lobed. 
The  upper  leaves  are  long,  oval  affairs,  arranged  singly 
or  in  threes,  and  are  usually  stemless.  They  are  all 
roughly  textured,  and  both  stem  and  leaves  are  coarse 
and  hairy.     The  five-petalled  white  flower  is  insig- 

260 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

nificant,  and  the  yellow-tipped  stamens  surround  the 
central  cluster  of  green  pistils.  They  occur  on  terminal 
foot  stems,  and  the  large,  five-parted,  white-edged, 
green  calyx  alternates  with  the  widely  separated 
petals.  The  seed  ripens  in  burr-like  clusters,  with  long, 
hooked  tips  that  play  havoc  with  one's  clothing,  to 
which  they  adhere  with  an  especial  delight.  This  plant 
ranges  from  Canada  to  Georgia  and  Missouri. 

BLACK  RASPBERRY.  BLACK  CAP 

Rubus  occidentlihs.     Rose  Family. 

The  smooth,  curving,  cane-like  stalk  of  this  species 
often  roots  again  at  the  tip,  and  it  grows  some  ten  or 
twelve  feet  in  length.  It  is  sparingly  covered  with 
small,  hooked  prickers.  The  leaf  is  three-parted, 
rarely  five,  and  the  leaflets  are  oval  and  pointed.  The 
under  surfaces  are  of  a  much  lighter  shade  than  the 
upper,  and  the  edges  are  coarsely  toothed.  The  five- 
petalled  white  flowers  are  densely  clustered  in  pretty, 
round  terminal  heads.  This  is  the  favourite  little 
Black  Cap  that  country  children  like  to  string  on  grass 
stems  when  they  go  berrying  for  fun.  It  is  common 
especially  in  burnt-over  districts,  and  along  fence 
rows,  stone  walls,  and  neglected  farm  buildings, 
everywhere  from  Georgia  and  Mississippi  northward 
to  Quebec  and   Ontario. 

HIGH     BUSH    BLACKBERRY 

Rubus  allegheniensis.     Rose  Family. 
A  very  common,  scrubby,  branching  bramble  with 
long,  grooved,  erect  or  curving  stalks  growing  from 

261 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD    FLOWERS 

three  to  ten  feet  in  length,  and  armed  with  stout, 
slightly  recurving  thorns.  The  stiff,  prickly  pur- 
plish or  brown  stalks  of  the  past  year  are  easily  dis- 
tinguished from  the  new,  green  shoots.  From  three 
to  five  pointed,  oblong  leaflets  compose  the  compound 
leaf.  They  are  unequally  toothed,  strongly  ribbed 
and  their  surface  is  hairy.  The  five  light  green  sepals 
alternate  between  the  large,  narrow,  white  petals  and 
the  numerous,  slender,  brown-tipped  stamens  are 
prettily  clustered  around  the  little  group  of  green  pis- 
tils in  the  centre.  The  flowers  are  borne  in  loose, 
terminal  clusters.  The  juicy,  thimble-shaped  fruit 
ripens  in  hanging  groups  during  July  and  August. 
This  is  the  original  of  the  ordinary  form  of  the  culti- 
vated or  garden  variety  of  blackberry,  now  exten- 
sively raised  for  marketing.  For  over  a  hundred  years 
it  was  erroneously  known  as  Ruhus  canadensis.  It 
prefers  dry  soil  in  open,  sunny  places,  in  low  altitudes, 
from  Nova  •  Scotia  to  Ontario  and  North  Carolina. 
A  white-fruited  variety  occurs  in  Michigan. 

RUNNING   BLACKBERRY 

Rubus  hhpidus.     Rose  Family. 

This  slender-stemmed  and  weak-bristled,  branch- 
ing Blackberry  creeps  gracefully  along  its  way  from 
four  to  ten  feet.  The  few  prickers  are  scantily  scat- 
tered. The  compound  leaves  are  three-parted,  and 
the  thick-textured,  wedge-shaped,  dark  green  leaflets 
are  rounding  at  the  apex  and  sharply  toothed  above 
the  middle.      Throughout  the  winter  the  dull,  purp- 

262 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

lish  red  leaves  may  be  found  in  delightful  contrast 
with  the  snow.  The  small,  five-petalled  white  flowers 
are  usually  grouped,  and  the  reddish  purple  fruit  is 
small  and  sour.  It  grows  commonly  in  swamps  and 
low  grounds  generally,  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Ontario 
and  Minnesota,  south  to  Georgia  and  Kansas. 

LOW  RUNNING  BLACKBERRY.      DEWBERRY. 

Riibus  villosus.     Rose  Family. 

A  trailing,  woody-stemmed  vine,  loping  along  the 
ground  for  several  feet  and  often  armed  with  scat- 
tered prickers.  Its  ascending  branches  are  sparingly 
prickled.  The  large  leaf  has  from  three  to  seven 
oval  or  pointed,  wedge-shaped  leaflets.  They  are 
thin-textured  and  sharply  cut  with  fine,  even  teeth. 
The  large,  white,  five-petalled  flowers  are  fragrant, 
and  grow  singly  or  in  sparse  clusters  of  two  or  three. 
The  small,  juicy  black  fruit  is  large-seeded,  but  has 
a  delicious  flavour.  It  is  common  along  dusty  road- 
sides, on  dry  hillsides,  and  in  fields,  from  Virginia, 
Louisiana  and  the  Indian  Territory  northward  to 
Lake  Superior,  Ontario  and  Newfoundland. 

RABBIT=ROOT,  OLD=FIELD,  STONE  OR 
PUSSY  CLOVER.     HARE'S=FOOT 

Trtfoiium  arvense.     Pea  Family. 

The  funny,  fuzzy  heads  of  the  Pussy  Plant  are  often 
ca:^elessly  passed  and  unnoticed  with  the  mistaken 
idea  that  they  are  merely  the  faded  and  bleached  remains 
of  some  perished  blossom.     And  if  you  are  not  careful 

263 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD   FLOWERS 

to  investigate  these  hoary  top-knots  when  you  first  find 
them,  you  are  hkely  to  fall  into  the  same  error.  Most 
people  fail  to  identify  this  species  as  a  member  of  the 
Clover  tribe  at  sight,  notwithstanding  there  is  no  get- 
ting away  from  its  trifohate  leaf.  The  generic  name, 
Trifolium,  is  derived  from  the  Latin  tres,  three,  and 
folium,  a  leaf,  and  alludes  to  the  three-parted  com- 
pound leaf,  which  is  characteristic  of  this  family. 
The  name  Clover  is  thought  to  have  been  derived 
from  the  Latin  clava,  meanmg  clubs,  in  connection 
with  the  mythical  three-headed  club  of  the  mighty 
Hercules,  which  the  Clover  leaf  is  supposed  to  resemble. 
The  so-called  clubs  on  playing  cards  are  believed  to 
have  originated  from  the  Clover  leaf.  The  Rabbit- 
foot  Clover  is  an  immigrant  from  Europe.  The 
name  comes  from  the  fancied  resemblance  of  the 
furry  flower,  to  that  popular  token  of  good  luck, 
the  foot  of  a  rabbit.  The  annual,  slender,  erect 
stalk  is  much  branched  and  covered  with  minute  silky 
hairs.  It  grows  from  six  to  eighteen  inches  in 
height  and  every  branching  joint  of  stalk  and  stem 
is  sheathed  with  a  stipule  having  a  pair  of  long,  curv- 
ing, needle-like  points.  The  three  small,  thin,  vel- 
vety leaflets  forming  the  compound  leaf  flare  from  the 
tip  of  a  short,  slender  stem.  They  are  long  and  very 
narrow,  lance-shaped,  the  broader  part  toward  the 
rather  blunt  three-pointed  apex,  and  they  taper  into 
short  stems  at  the  base.  The  length  is  less  than  an 
inch.  The  midrib  is  noticeable  the  entire  length,  and 
finally  forms  the  centre  one  of  the  three  tiny  tips  at  the 

264 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

apex.  The  margins  and  veinings  are  very  similar 
to  those  of  the  Yellow  Clover.  The  sweetly  scented 
flowering  heads  usually  occur  in  terminal  pairs.  They 
are  oblong  or  cylindrical  in  shape,  and  the  general 
colour  is  a  beautiful  pearl-gray  tinted  with  pink. 
They  are  composed  of  numerous  florets  densely 
arranged  in  the  exceedingly  thick  and  downy  plume 
which  varies  from  one-quarter  to  an  inch  or  so  in  length. 
The  greenish-white  corolla  of  the  tiny  floret  is  much 
shorter  than  the  little  green  calyx,  which  extends  its 
five  remarkably  long,  feathery  pink  tips  out  of  all 
reasonable  proportion,  to  form  the  silky  heads.  The 
Stone  Clover  is  a  native  of  northern  Asia.  It  blos- 
soms from  May  to  September  and  is  more  or  less 
common  east  of  the  Mississippi. 

WHITE,   DUTCH     OR   HONEYSUCKLE  CLOVER 

Trifblium  repens.     Pea  Family. 

This  is  the  commest  of  the  white  Clovers  and  is  found 
everywhere  in  great  abundance.  It  is  extensively  used 
for  lawns  and  has  been  cultivated  in  some  parts  of  the 
country  where  it  is  highly  prized  as  a  pasture  for 
cattle.  Bee-keepers  claim  that  the  sweetly  scented 
flowers  produce  the  choicest  quality  of  white  honey. 
It  is  generally  supposed  that  this  species  is  identical 
with  the  Shamrock  of  Ireland,  although  it  is  thought  to 
be  native  to  the  northern  United  States  and  Canada. 
The  leaf  is  commonly  compounded  of  three  parts  or 
leaflets,  but  here  and  there  a  solitary  leaf  is  occasionally 
found  bearing  four  or  more  parts.     The  four-parted 

265 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD    FLOWERS 

one  is  universally  known  as  the  "four-leaf  Clover"  and 
is  popularly  accepted  as  a  token  of  good  luck.  A 
diligent  search  will  seldom  fail  to  find  one  or  more  of 
them  in  a  healthy  patch  of  Clover  foliage.  The  earliest 
primary  school  song  I  remember  learning  had  much 
to  do  with  directing  my  mind  to  appreciate  the  glories 
of  Nature: 

"  Down  among  the  meadow  grass, 
Searching  it  all  over, 
What  a  merry  band  are  we, 
Hunting  four-leaf  Clover." 

June  finds  this  Clover  at  the  height  of  its  floral  activity, 
and  the  bees  fairly  swarm  over  the  blossoms  from  day- 
light to  dusk.  The  slender,  light  green  stalk  is  spread- 
ing and  creeping.  As  it  extends,  long,  delicate  leaf  and 
flower  stems  spring  upright  therefrom  at  short  intervals, 
forming  dense  mats  of  medium  green  flecked  with  white, 
that  are  very  pleasing.  The  stalk  often  takes  root  at 
the  sheathed  nodes,  or  joints.  It  grows  from  four  to 
twelve  inches  long.  Three  rounding  oval  or  inverted 
heart-shaped  leaflets  with  narrowing  bases,  which  unite 
at  the  tip  of  the  slender  stem,  form  the  compound  leaf. 
Their  margins  are  finely  toothed  and  their  surfaces  are 
usually  marked  with  a  whitish  or  grayish  green  tri- 
angular or  broad  V-shaped  band,  the  angle  of  which 
points  toward  their  apex.  The  midrib  is  strong,  and 
the  feathery  veinings  show  on  the  under  side.  Clover 
flowers  are  botanically  known  as  pa-pil-i-on-a-ce-ous, 
that  is,  they  are  butterfly-shaped.  The  beautiful  Sweet 
Pea  of  our  gardens  is  a  clever  illustration  of  this  curious 

266 


WILD  FLOWERS  v/hite  and  greenish 

and  irregularly  constructed  blossom.  Of  course,  they 
are  necessarily  greatly  reduced  in  size  and  more  or  less 
modified  otherwise  in  the  Clovers,  since  so  very  many 
are  crowded  on  the  flowering  head  where  they  are 
known  as  florets.  In  the  present  species,  these  florets 
are  white,  cream  white,  or  frequently  pinkish.  They 
are  set  erectly  in  small,  five-parted,  light  green  calyces 
on  small  stemlets.  As  they  fade,  they  become  brown- 
ish and  husky,  and  turn  flaringly  downward,  separating 
the  head  for  a  time  in  two  parts,  the  quick  from  the  dead, 
until  finally  all  become  reflexed,  while  the  seeds  ripen. 
The  White  Clover  is  very  common  everywhere  in  fields 
and  along  roadsides,  but  more  so  east  of  the  one- 
hundredth  meridian.  It  is  quite  possibly  a  native  well 
north,  as  it  is  in  Siberia.  It  blooms  from  May  to  Decem- 
ber. In  England  it  is  known  as  Sheep's  Gowan, 
Honey  Stalks  and  sometimes  Shamrock. 

WHITE  MELILOT.     WHITE  SWEET  CLOVER. 
HONEY-LOTUS.     TREE  CLOVER 

Melilotus  alba.     Pea  Family. 

Great  armfuls  of  the  White  Sweet  Clover  are  gathered 
annually  because  of  the  delightful  fragrance  of  its 
leaves,  which  becomes  more  pronounced  as  they  dry 
out  and  emit  their  pleasing  odour  in  our  rooms  and 
closets.  I  have  never  heard  of  these  leaves  being 
used  as  a  tea,  but  have  often  thought  that  I  should  like 
to  try  them  —  their  fragrance  is  so  refreshing.  The 
dried  leaves  have  been  used  like  camphor,  as  a  pre- 
ventative for  moths  in  packing  away  furs  and  wooUens, 

267 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD  FLOWERS 

but  their  efficacy  is  questionable.  Somewhere,  it  is 
said,  the  flowers  are  used  for  flavouring  snuff  and 
tobacco.  Many  persons  have  been  mistaken  in  their 
belief  that  this  plant  supplied  the  material  used  by  the 
northern  Indians  who  weave  the  scented  sweet-grass 
novelties  that  are  offered  to  us  conditionally,  every- 
where we  turn  during  our  summer  outings.  The 
White  Melilot  is  an  annual  or  bi-annual  herb,  coming 
to  us  from  Europe  and  it  is  also  a  native  of  Asia.  It 
flourishes  in  the  greatest  profusion  along  our  country 
roadsides  everywhere,  and  blossoms  from  June  to 
November,  when  Jack  Frost  cuts  it  down.  The 
widely  branching  stalk  rises  from  three  to  ten  feet  in 
height  and  is  generally  smooth  The  comparatively 
small  leaves  are  short-stemmed  and  three-parted.  The 
leaflets  are  long-oblong  in  shape  and  their  margins  are 
toothed.  They  are  narrow  at  the  base  and  round  at  the 
tip,  which  is  either  blunt  or  nicked.  Many  small,  white 
florets  form  the  long,  slender,  flowing  spike  which,  on 
account  of  its  abundance  of  nectar,  attracts  myriads  of 
insects  and  bees.     The  flowers  are  pleasantly  scented. 

POISON   IVY.     POISON   OAK.     MERCURY 

Rhus  Toxicodendron.     Sumac  Family. 

Nearly  everyone  is  familiar  with  the  unpleasant  effects 
produced  by  contact  with  this  treacherous  and  exceed- 
ingly poisonous  vine,  which  has  undoubtedly  caused 
more  harm  to  mankind  than  all  other  plants  together. 
The  actual  poison  has  been  traced  to  a  powerful,  non- 
volatile oil  contained  in  all  parts  of  the  plant,  and  which 

268 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

retains  its  baneful  activities  throughout  every  month  in 
the  year.  Now  and  again  we  hear  of  persons  being 
immune  to  its  attack,  but  it  is  a  mooted  subject  and 
its  ill  effects  vary  greatly  from  mild  to  severe.  The 
writer  recalls  an  occasion  when  both  eyes  were  closed 
for  a  day  or  two  by  the  swelling  caused  by  the  effects 
of  this  poison.  And  singularly  enough,  he  has  sub- 
sequently handled  all  parts  of  the  plant  at  all  seasons 
without  experiencing  the  slightest  infection.  It  is  an 
uncertain  privilege,  however,  and  it  is  always  highly 
advisable  to  avoid  it  altogether.  The  poison  first 
manifests  itself  by  an  inflamed  irritation  of  the  affected 
part  of  the  skin.  Tiny  blisters  immediately  succeed  a 
burning  sensation.  They  spread  and  increase  rapidly 
in  size  and  number  until  the  itching  and  swelling  finally 
becomes  very  unpleasant.  Frequent  applications  of  a 
strong  solution  of  weakened  alcohol  and  powdered 
sugar  of  lead,  well  rubbed  into  the  affected  part,  will 
usually  relieve  the  discomfort  at  once  and  prevent  the 
spreading  of  the  poison.  This  lead  solution  is  very 
poisonous  if  taken  internally.  When  the  redness  first 
appears,  a  thorough  washing  of  the  affected  part  with 
strong,  hot  soapsuds  is  recommended.  Cold  water 
will  not  dissolve  the  poisonous  oil. 

This  thrifty,  climbing  woody  vine  is  very  prolific, 
and  grows  abundantly  everywhere  throughout  its  range. 
It  is  commonly  found  in  thickets  and  along  country 
highways,  fences  and  woodland  borders,  where  the 
dense  foliage  covers  everything  it  clings  to.  It  climbs 
readily  by  numerous  aerial  rootlets,  but  is  quite  as 

269 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD    FLOWERS 

frequently  found  low-growing,  erect  and  bushy.  The 
shining  green  leaf  is  composed  of  three  smooth,  broad, 
pointed-oval  and  short- stemmed  leaflets,  which  are 
plainly  ribbed  and  have  either  regular  or  irregular 
margins.  These  three  leaflets  are  set  on  the  end  of  a 
long,  slender  stem.  The  stem  of  the  centre  leaflet  is 
longer  than  those  of  the  other  two.  During  May  and 
June  numerous  small,  fragrant,  yellowish-green  flowers 
appear  in  densely  clustered  spikes  which  grow  from 
the  axils  of  the  leaf  stems.  They  are  succeeded  in  the 
fall  by  many  smooth,  white,  waxy  berries  which  often 
remain  through  the  winter  months.  The  Virginia 
Creeper  is  generally  confused  with  the  Poison  Ivy, 
but  can  always  be  distinguished  from  the  latter  by  its 
slender-pointed,  coarsely  toothed  and  usually  five- 
parted  leaf  and  also  by  its  spreading  clusters  of  blice 
berries.  Poison  Ivy  yields  a  milky  juice  which  turns 
black  when  exposed  and  imparts  an  indelible  stain  to 
fabrics.  In  the  fall  the  foliage  of  this  plant  turns  to 
beautiful  shades  of  yellow  and  scarlet  and  becomes 
very  attractive  and  decorative.  It  ranges  from  Nova 
Scotia  and  British  Columbia  to  Florida,  Texas,  Arkan- 
sas and  Utah. 

NEW  JERSEY  TEA.    RED=ROOT.  WILD  SNOWBALL 

Ceanothus  amertcanus.     Buckthorn  Family. 

Every  patriotic  citizen  of  the  United  States  should 
know  this  historic  plant,  because  a  brewing  of  its  leaves 
was  used  as  a  substitute  for  tea  by  the  American  troops 
during  the  Revolution.     It  was  employed  at  about  the 

270 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

same  time,  too,  when  old  King  George  the  Third  unwit- 
tingly assisted  in  creating  the  greatest  tea-party  at  Bos- 
ton Harbour  that  the  world  has  ever  known.  The 
astringent  roots  possess  some  medicinal  qualities,  and 
they  also  yield  a  brown  dye.  It  is  a  small,  shrubby, 
branching  species,  with  a  whitish,  powdery  bloom,  and 
its  leafy  stalk  rises  two  or  three  feet  high  from  a  deep, 
reddish  root.  The  pointed,  oval  leaf  is  set  alternately 
upon  the  stalk  with  short  stems.  The  hairy  surface  is 
creased  with  three  ribs  and  its  edges  are  finely  toothed. 
Numerous  tiny,  white  or  creamy  white  flowers  are 
densely  crowded  into  oblong,  terminal  clusters.  They 
are  composed  of  five  petals,  and  have  long,  slender 
stems,  and  possess  a  faint  fragrance.  It  ranges  from 
Ontario  and  Manitoba  to  Florida  and  Texas,  in  dry, 
open  woods,  where  it  blossoms  from  May  to  July. 

VIRGINIA  CREEPER.     AMERICAN   IVY 

Psedera  quinquefolia.     Grape  Family. 

The  name  Woodbine  is  very  frequently  misapplied 
to  this  high  climbing  or  trailing  vine  with  its  numerous 
tendrils.  It  is  commonly  confused  with  the  Poison 
Ivy,  but  can  be  easily  distinguished  by  its  five-parted 
leaf,  while  the  leaf  of  the  latter  is  three-parted.  The 
short-stemmed  leaflets  are  elliptical  in  shape  with  taper- 
ing points,  and  the  outer  half  is  coarsely  toothed.  The 
surface  is  usually  smooth,  and  the  colour  is  dark  green 
above  and  lighter  underneath.  The  insignificant 
yellowish  green  flowers  grow  in  irregular,  broadly 
branching  clusters.     These  are  succeeded  in  the  fall 

271 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD   FLOWERS 

by  small,  round,  dark  blue  berries.  At  this  season,  the 
foliage  turns  to  a  beautiful  red  or  scarlet  and  is  very 
attractive  and  greatly  admired.  The  Virginia  Creeper 
sprawls  over  everything  within  its  reach,  and  is  exten- 
sively cultivated  about  the  porches  and  fences  of  subur- 
ban homes.  The  berry  is  not  edible.  This  vine  is 
common  in  woods  and  thickets  from  Quebec  to  Mani- 
toba, Florida,  Texas  and  Mexico. 

SWEET  WHITE   VIOLET 

Fiola  hldnda.     Violet  Family. 

"The  dearest  violet  of  all,"  observes  Neltje  Blanchan. 
Surely  a  more  charming  and  appropriate  comment  on 
the  Sweet  White  Violet  would  be  difficult  to  imagine, 
for  the  very  modesty  and  nature  of  this  dainty  little 
queen  of  Violets  defies  the  effort.  If  it  is  true  that  the 
Violets  are  steeped  in  the  bluest  blood  of  royalty,  then 
it  must  be  true  also  that  this  particular  Violet  is  mistress 
of  them  all.  Its  exclusive  air  of  refinement,  its  exquisite 
race,  its  delicate  fragrance,  even  its  robe  of  ermine 
petals,  all  tend  to  betray  its  dignity.  In  low,  damp, 
open  woods,  or  wet  meadows  and  swamps,  where  few 
flowers  are  wont  to  dwell,  this  tiny  reflection  of  love  and 
simplicity  waits,  with  becoming  stateliness,  to  greet  us 
during  April  and  May.  It  is  one  of  the  smallest,  if 
not  the  smallest  of  the  Violets,  and  is  also  one  of  the 
earliest  to  be  found  in  blossom.  The  uniformly  sweet- 
scented  flower  has  five  white  petals.  The  upper  pair 
are  often  long,  narrow  and  decidedly  recurved.  It  is 
usually  beardless  and  has  a  short  spur.    The  lower 

272 


BLOODROOT.     Sanguinaria  canadensis 


i 

/  V  ^  4 

w^Mm 

^^'^^ . 

&^^' 

irTm 

^'■\  .^m^.^ 

>^^p                     w^j^it0^^i!^^ 

-"       ~^^^     ■'^^- 

DUTCHMAN'S  BREECHES.     Dicentra  Cucullaria 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

petals  are  veined  or  hair-lined  with  purple.  The 
matured  flower  measures  from  one-quarter  to  one-half 
inch  broad,  and  is  borne  singly  on  short,  slender 
stems  that  really  seem  a  little  stout  for  so  small  a  blos- 
som. Though  often  found  growing  five  or  six  inches 
high,  the  plant  averages  nearer  two  inches.  The  thin 
textured,  smooth  surfaced,  yellow-green  leaves  are 
round  heart-shaped  with  finely  toothed  margins.  The 
plant  is  stemless,  that  is,  it  has  no  main  stalk,  and 
the  leaf  and  flower  stems  spring  directly  from  a  very 
slender  rootstock.  As  the  season  advances,  the  plant 
sends  out  slender  stolens  or  runners  bearing  a  few  petal- 
less  flowers  that  never  open.  It  is  found  from  New- 
foundland and  New  Brunswick  to  Georgia  and  Louisi- 
ana, and  in  California. 

The  Lance-leaved  Violet,  V.  lanceolata,  is  a  more 
slender  and  somewhat  taller  species,  having  striking 
long,  narrow,  lance-shaped  leaves  which  gradually 
taper  into  a  long,  slender  stem,  or  petiole,  and  which 
is  a  distinct  and  ready  means  of  identification.  The 
margins  are  finely  toothed  or  scalloped,  the  texture  is 
thin,  and  the  colour  yellowish  green.  The  white-petaled 
flowers  are  sHghtly  fragrant,  and  if  anything,  they  are 
a  trifle  larger  than  the  preceding  species,  and  Hke  those, 
their  lower  petals  are  marked  with  purple  lines.  They 
are  usually  beardless  and  have  a  short  spur.  Late  in 
summer  they  send  out  many  stolens  that  take  root  at 
short  intervals  and  bear  apetalous  flowers  which  never 
open,  and  in  fact,  are  seldom  observed  because  they  are 
inconspicuous  and  are  obscured  by  the  leaves.     This 

273 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD    FLOWERS 

species  is  found  in  wet  places,  often  near  the  Sweet 
White  Violet,  along  streams  and  in  wet  woods,  from 
Nova  Scotia  to  Minnesota,  south  to  Florida  and  Texas, 
during  April,  May,  and  June. 

The  Primrose-leaved  Violet,  V.  primulifolia,  is 
another  white-flowered  species  having  many  of  the 
characteristics  of  the  preceding.  The  flowers  are  borne 
on  slightly  longer  stems,  and  all  of  the  petals  are  marked 
with  purple  lines.  It  is  readily  identified  by  its  spoon- 
shaped  leaves,  the  edges  of  which  are  slightly  scalloped, 
and  the  veins  on  the  under  side  being  more  or  less  hairy. 
It  is  found  in  open,  moist  soil  from  New  Brunswick 
to  Florida  and  Louisiana,  from  April  to  June. 

CANADA    VIOLET 

Viola  canadensis.     Violet  Family. 

This  pretty,  fragrant  violet  distinguishes  itself  by 
blooming  twice  during  the  season,  first  in  May  and 
again  in  August.  It  is  also  the  tallest  of  its  family, 
growing  sometimes  two  feet  in  height.  It  selects  the 
cooler,  higher  climate  of  its  range  which  covers  hilly 
or  mountainous  portions  of  Newfoundland  and  the 
Hudson  Bay  region  to  Saskatchewan  and  south  to 
North  Carolina,  Tennessee,  Nebraska,  and  in  the 
Rockies,  Arizona  and  New  Mexico,  during  May  and 
June.  The  small,  yellow-centred  flower  is  pale  violet 
in  colour,  nearly  white  within,  tinged  on  the  outside 
with  pink  and  veined  with  purple.  The  side  petals  are 
bearded.  The  broad,  lower  petal  is  yellow  at  the  base 
and  is  striped  with  fine  dark  lines.     It  is  sharply  pinched 

274 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

together  at  the  point  and  has  a  short  spur.  The  calyx 
is  lined  with  a  purple  tint  and  the  flower  is  borne  singly 
on  a  short  stem  which  springs  from  the  angles  of  the 
branching  leaf  stems.  The  plant  is  smooth,  branching, 
and  light  green  in  colour.  The  thin-textured,  strongly 
ribbed,  heart-shaped  leaf  has  a  slightly  scalloped  mar- 
gin. It  is  pointed  and  wavy,  or  with  the  edge  partly 
curled  upward.  Altogether  the  plant  reminds  one  a 
little  of  the  Downy  Yellow  Violet. 

ENCHANTER'S   NIGHTSHADE 

Circaea  lutettana.     Evening  Primrose  Family. 

A  rather  inconspicuous  flowering  perennial,  receiving 
its  Latin  name  from  Circe,  the  daughter  of  Sol  and 
Perse,  a  mythical  enchantress  who  first  charmed  her 
victims  and  then  transformed  them  into  various  animals. 
The  frequency  with  which  it  is  encountered  in  shady 
woods  makes  this  otherwise  inconspicuous  plant  note- 
worthy. The  upright  stalk  is  covered  with  fine  hairs, 
and  grows  from  one  to  two  feet  in  height.  It  is  branch- 
ing, and  swollen  at  the  joints.  The  slender  stemmed 
leaves,  which  are  arranged  in  opposite  pairs,  are  pointed 
oval  in  shape  with  the  edges  faintly  scalloped.  The 
tiny,  white  flowers  are  set  in  a  slender  terminal  spike. 
They  have  only  two  petals,  which  are  heart-shaped,  and 
alternate  with  two  stamens.  The  tiny,  two-parted 
calyx  is  hairy,  and  the  small,  drooping,  pear-shaped 
fruit  is  densely  covered  with  stiff,  hooked  hairs.  This 
species  is  found  from  June  to  August,  from  Nova 
Scotia  to  Georgia,  Nebraska,  and  Missouri. 

27s 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD   FLOWERS 

A  smaller  species,  C.  alpina,  has  thin,  somewhat 
shining  leaves  which  are  acutely  pointed,  slender- 
stemmed,  coarsely  toothed  and,  at  the  base,  somewhat 
heart-shaped.  The  flowers  are  an  inch  broad  and 
the  long,  oval  seed  case  is  covered  with  soft,  hooked 
hairs.  It  is  found  in  cool,  moist  woods  from  Labrador 
and  Alaska  southward  to  Georgia,  Indiana,  Michigan, 
and  Minnesota.  Also  in  Europe  and  Asia.  It  is 
found  in  blossom  from  July  to  September. 

AMERICAN   SPIKENARD.      INDIAN   ROOT. 
SPIQNET 

Aralia  racemhsa.     Ginseng  Family. 

The  Spikenard  is  very  apt  to  attract  one's  attention 
in  the  autumn  with  its  ripening  clusters  of  dark  purple 
or  reddish  brown  berries.  The  large,  thick,  aromatic 
roots  of  this  species  have  an  odour  and  taste  resembling 
that  of  the  Wild  Sarsaparilla,  but  are  more  spicy. 
The  roots  of  these  two  plants  are  well  known  and  have 
been  used  as  a  family  remedy,  chiefly  in  rheumatic  and 
skin  affections,  much  in  the  same  manner  and  dose  as 
genuine  sarsaparilla.  It  grows  from  three  to  six  feet 
high,  and  is  widely  branched.  The  stalk  is  round  and 
blackish.  The  very  large,  compound  leaf  is  slightly 
downy  and  has  three  distinct  parts,  each  of  which 
has  several  thin,  broad,  pointed-oval  leaflets  with 
doubly  toothed  margins,  heart-shaped  bases,  and 
short  stems.  The  numerous  small,  five-parted,  greenish 
white  flowers  are  loosely  arranged  in  small,  round 
clusters  that   form    a   large,    curving   terminal   spike 

276 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

which  sometimes  starts  from  the  angles  of  the  leaf 
stems.  It  is  found  in  rich,  open  woodlands,  from 
New  Brunswick  to  Georgia,  and  west  to  Minnesota 
and  Missouri,  during  July  and  August. 

WILD,   OR   VIRGINIAN   SARSAPARILLA. 
SMALL  SPIKENARD.      RABBIT=FOOT 

Aralia  nudicaulis.     Ginseng  Family. 

Because  the  long,  creeping,  aromatic  roots  of  this 
plant  are  very  fragrant,  they  are  extensively  gathered 
and  sold  as  a  substitute  for  the  genuine  article,  and  so 
this  species  has  received  its  common  name  of  Wild 
Sarsaparilla.  Rabbits  are  said  to  be  very  fond  of  the 
root,  and  on  this  account  it  has  been  called  Rabbit- 
foot.  It  has  long  been  a  popular  remedy  both  among 
the  Indians  and  in  domestic  practice.  The  leaf  is 
borne  on  a  single,  slender  stalk  that  rises  a  foot  or 
so  in  height.  It  is  triply  compounded  and  each  part 
has  from  three  to  five  pointed-oval  parts  that  are 
rounded  or  narrowed  at  the  base  and  have  finely 
toothed  margins.  They  are  gracefully  balanced  on 
their  three  short  stems  which  are  set  on  the  top  of  the 
leaf  stalks.  The  shorter  flower  stalk  bears  several 
forks,  and  on  the  tip  of  each  is  set  a  circular,  flat-topped 
cluster  of  very  small,  greenish-white  flowers.  The 
five  petals  of  the  latter  are  turned  back  against  the 
calyx,  and  expose  five  stamens.  The  flowers  are 
succeeded  with  clusters  of  shining,  globular,  purp- 
lish black  fruit.  The  young  leaves  are  dark  and 
bronzy.     Wild  Sarsaparilla  is  found  in  rich,   shady, 

277 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD    FLOWERS 

and  moist,  rocky  woods,  during  May  and  June,  from 
Newfoundland  to  Georgia,  Colorado,  and  Idaho. 

GINSENG 

Panax  quinquefolium.     Ginseng  Family. 

The  Chinese  have  regarded  the  root  of  the  Gin- 
seng with  the  highest  of  fanatical  esteem  from  time 
immemorial,  and  believe  it  to  possess  almost  miracu- 
lous powers  in  preserving  health,  endowing  youth, 
and  prolonging  life.  It  is  said  to  have  been  actually 
worth  its  weight  in  gold  in  Pekin,  and  the  first  ship- 
ment to  Canton  from  this  country  yielded  fabulous 
profits.  The  Chinese  name.  Ginseng,  is  said  to  have 
originated  from  the  fancied  resemblance  of  the  human 
figure  in  the  root,  and  the  more  this  shape  is  developed 
the  higher  it  is  prized.  Its  medicinal  virtues,  however, 
seem  to  be  wholly  imagmary;  still  every  Chinaman 
wants  it,  and  it  is  now  being  cultivated  and  exported 
at  the  rate  of  over  a  million  dollars  worth  annually. 
It  is  small  wonder  then,  that  this  plant  is  not  common. 
The  stem  grows  from  eight  to  fifteen  inches  high,  and 
bears  three  irregularly  toothed  leaves  in  a  whorl  on 
slender  stems  at  its  summit.  Each  leaf  has  five  thin, 
long-pointed,  oval  leaflets,  the  outer  three  of  which 
are  largest.  From  six  to  twenty  tiny,  five-petalled, 
yellowish  green  flowers  are  gathered  in  a  rounded, 
fleecy  cluster  on  the  tip  of  a  slender  stem  springing 
upright  from  the  common  axil  of  the  leaf  stems.  They 
are  succeeded  by  a  few  flattened,  bright  crimson  ber- 
ries.    It  should  be  found  during  July  and  August  in 

278 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

rich,  cool  woods  from  Quebec  to  Alabama,  Minne- 
sota, Nebraska,  and  Missouri. 

SANICLE.      BLACK  SNAKEROOT 

Samcula  marilandica.     Carrot  Family. 

From  the  Rocky  Mountains  eastward  to  Newfound- 
land and  Georgia,  this  common  and  well-known  herb 
raises  its  stout,  smooth,  hollow,  usually  simple  and 
swaying  stalk  from  one  and  a  half  to  four  feet  in  height. 
The  firm,  smooth,  dark,  or  bluish  green  leaves  are  com- 
pounded of  from  five  to  seven  palmate  or  spreading, 
long  lance-shaped  leaflets  with  their  margins  irregularly 
notched  and  toothed.  The  upper  ones  clasp  the  stalk 
and  the  lower  ones  are  set  on  long  stems.  The  tiny, 
pale,  greenish  yellow  flowers  have  five  petals  that  curve 
inward  at  first  and  cover  the  five  stamens.  Later  they 
unfold  and  expose  their  charge.  The  flowers  are  both 
staminate  and  pistillate,  and  are  found  together  in  the 
same  cluster.  They  are  gathered  in  a  rounding  head 
and  from  two  to  four  of  these  heads  are  borne  in  a  loose 
terminal  umbel.  The  small,  cone-shaped  fruit,  or  burr, 
is  covered  with  numerous  hooked  bristles,  and  is  usually 
tipped  with  two  recurving  styles.  The  fibrous  aromatic 
root  has  been  used  for  nervousness  and  fevers.  Sanicle 
blooms  from  May  to  July,  in  rich,  moist  woods 

SWEET  CICELY 

Osmorhlza  longistylis.     Carrot  Family. 

This  species  is  a  perennial  herb  having  large,  thick, 
clustered,  edible   roots   that   are   regularly   sought   by 

279 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD   FLOWERS 

country  children  because  of  their  pleasant,  anise- 
flavoured  odour  and  taste.  Greatest  caution  should 
be  exercised  in  collecting,  handling,  or  eating  any  part 
of  this  plant  without  positive  knowledge  of  its  iden- 
tity, as  it  strongly  resembles  the  exceedingly  poison- 
ous Water  Hemlock,  which  has  caused  fatal  results. 
Sweet  Cicely  is  an  earlier  bloomer,  however,  and  blos- 
soms during  May  and  June.  Its  upright  stalk  is 
widely  branched  and  grows  from  one  to  three  feet  in 
height.  The  large,  fern-like  leaf  has  three  prom- 
inent, pointed-oval  divisions  that  are  again  deeply 
cut  and  notched  with  irregularly  toothed  margins. 
The  leaves  are  thin-textured  and  dark  green  in  colour, 
and  the  lower  ones  have  long  stems.  The  small 
white  flowers  are  five-pe tailed,  and  are  borne  in  few- 
rayed,  long-stemmed,  flat-topped  clusters.  The  long 
seeds  are  armed  with  two  sharp,  spreading  points. 
Sweet  Cicely  is  a  tall,  loose,  and  rather  sparingly  foliaged 
plant,  of  graceful  growth.  From  it  oil  of  anise  has  been 
distilled.  It  is  found  in  rich,  moist  woods  from 
Alabama,  Tennessee,  and  Kansas  northward. 

WATER  HEMLOCK.    MUSQUASH  ROOT.    SPOTTED 
COWBANE.      BEAVER   POISON 

Ciciita  maculata.     Carrot  Family. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  poisonous  plants  native 
to  the  United  States,  and  particular  attention  should 
be  given  to  establish  its  identity  that  it  may  not  be 
confused  with  the  Sweet  Cicely,  or  Wild  Carrot.  It 
has  been  thought  that  this  species  is  identical  with 

280 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

the  one  from  which  the  ancient  Greeks  extracted 
the  poisonous  potions  that  were  administered  to  their 
political  prisoners  and  others  of  their  day.  The 
great  Socrates,  it  is  believed,  died  from  a  draught  of 
this  poison.  The  deadly  qualities  are  contained  in 
an  aromatic,  oily  fluid,  found  chiefly  in  the  roots,  but 
also  in  every  part  of  the  plant.  The  underground 
parts  are  most  dangerous,  and  both  men  and  cattle 
are  poisoned  annually  through  eating  its  roots,  or  by 
drinking  water  in  which  its  roots  may  have  been 
crushed.  No  chemical  antidote  for  this  poison  is 
known,  and  it  produces  violent  deaths.  It  is  a  stout, 
smooth,  erect,  and  slender  branching  perennial,  grow- 
ing from  three  to  six  feet  high.  The  hollow  stalk 
is  usually  marked  with  purple  lines,  and  the  root  has 
several  oblong,  fleshy  tubers.  The  compound  leaf 
is  twice  or  thrice  divided,  and  the  long  pointed,  lance- 
shaped  divisions  are  coarsely  and  sharply  toothed. 
The  veinings  seem  to  end  in  the  notches.  The  leaves 
are  smooth,  dark  green,  and  are  set  on  regular  stems. 
The  numerous,  insignificant,  whitish  flowers  are 
loosely  arranged  in  a  large,  spreading  wheel  of  small, 
flat-topped  umbels.  It  is  found  from  June  to  August  in 
swamps  and  low  grounds,  from  New  Mexico  and 
Florida,  northward  to  Minnesota  and  Manitoba. 

COW   PARSNIP.     MASTER-WORT 

Heracleum  lanatum.     Carrot  Family. 

Linnaeus  made  no  mistake  when  he  dedicated  this 
tall,    strikingly    bold,    and    giant-like    perennial    to 

281 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD   FLOWERS 

Hercules  who,  according  to  Pliny,  used  it  in  medicine. 
The  immense  hollow  stalk,  which  is  grooved,  woolly 
and  very  stout,  grows  from  four  to  eight  feet  high, 
and  at  the  base  it  is  often  two  inches  in  diameter.  The 
large,  rather  thin,  but  coarse  compound  leaf  has  three 
deeply  lobed  and  irregularly  notched  and  toothed, 
broad,  pointed-oval  leaflets  that  are  very  hairy  on  the 
under  side,  and  quite  smooth  above.  The  leaf  is  set 
on  short,  widely  winged  stems  that  clasp  the  stalk. 
The  small,  white,  five-petalled  flowers  are  gathered 
in  an  extensive,  wide-spreading,  flat-topped  disk  or 
umbel  which  is  sometimes  a  foot  or  more  broad.  The 
outer  blossoms  are  larger  than  the  inner  ones  and 
their  petals  are  deeply  notched  and  heart-shaped. 
The  Cow  Parsnip  is  rank  and  coarse,  and  grows  with 
a  tropical  luxuriance,  in  low,  moist  grounds,  where 
its  great  white,  floral  heads  are  raised  like  a  platter 
during  June  and  July.  The  plant  has  a  disagreeable 
odour,  and  the  foliage  and  roots  produce  redness  and 
inflammation  when  applied  to  the  skin.  The  acrid 
roots  have  been  used  as  a  remedy  in  epileptic  cases 
and  also  as  a  stimulant.  The  roots  are  also  said  to 
have  been  roasted  and  used  as  a  food  by  the  Canadian 
Indians,  who  also  ate  the  raw  leaf  stems,  which  they 
called  Indian  Rhubarb.  The  Parsnip  River  was  so 
named  because  of  the  abundance  of  these  plants  along 
its  banks.  The  Cow  Parsnip  is  the  only  important 
one  of  its  genus  growing  in  North  America. 
It  is  found  from  Labrador  and  Newfoundland 
to    Alaska,     south     to     North    Carolina,     Missouri, 

282 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

Utah    and    California,    and    probably    in    Washing- 
ton. 

WILD  CARROT.     BIRD'S   NEST.      QUEEN 
ANNE'S  LACE 

Daucus  Carota.     Carrot  Family. 

Tirades  of  abuse  and  condemnation  have  been 
heaped  upon  the  Wild  Carrot  by  farmers  whose  fields 
and  pastures  have  been  overrun  by  this  prolific  immi- 
grant from  Europe  and  Asia.  It  is  doubtful,  how- 
ever, if  the  farmer  knows,  or  even  whether  he  cares, 
that  this  species  is  said  to  be  the  original  of  the  very 
carrot  that  he  regularly  cultivates.  Scrapings  from 
the  strongly  scented  roots  have  been  applied  as  a  local 
stimulant  for  wounds.  The  round,  slender,  hairy, 
biennial  stalk  grows  erect  from  one  to  three  feet  from 
a  deep,  conical  root.  It  is  a  light  green  in  colour,  and 
very  finely  ribbed.  The  lower  leaves  are  exceedingly 
fringy,  being  very  much  cut  and  divided,  and  the 
upper  ones  less  so.  Their  surface  is  rough,  and  the 
colour  is  yellowish  green.  The  foliage  is  sparse  and 
occurs  at  distant  intervals.  The  tiny,  white,  usually 
five-parted  flowers  have  minute,  yellow-tipped  stamens, 
and  are  densely  clustered  in  many  small,  flat  wheels 
that  are  again  grouped  in  a  symmetric,  flat-topped  disk. 
The  central  flower  of  each  disk  is  often  dark  or  purp- 
lish, and  occasionally  all  of  the  flowers  have  a  delicate 
purplish  tinge.  The  outer  florets  are  largest.  The 
flowers  are  set  on  slender  stems  that  radiate  from  a 
common  centre,  and  about  which  is  set  a  whorl  of 

283 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD   FLOWERS 

narrow,  pointed  bracts.  On  account  of  their  white, 
fleecy,  geometric  design,  they  have  a  decidedly  lace- 
like appearance.  As  the  fruit  ripens,  the  floral  disks 
or  umbels  curve  upward  and  form  a  hollowed  nest 
or  basket-like  head.  This  plant  is  extremely  common 
east  of  the  Mississippi,  in  fields  and  waste  places, 
from  June  to  September. 

LOW,   OR   DWARF  CORNEL.     BUNCHBERRY 

Cornus  canadensis.     Dogwood  Family. 

Whatever  the  Bunchberry  lacks  in  height,  it  makes 
up  for  in  spread  of  foliage  during  the  summer,  and 
brightness  of  fruit  during  the  autumn.  The  single 
slender  stalk  is  four-sided  and  grooved,  and  rises  from 
three  to  nine  inches  in  height  from  a  nearly  horizontal 
rootstock.  The  four,  five,  or  six,  pointed,  broad-oval, 
toothless  leaves  radiate  in  a  close,  flat  whorl  from  the 
tip  of  the  stalk.  They  are  yellowish  green  in  colour 
and  their  surface  is  strongly  marked  with  several  pairs 
of  curving  ribs.  Frequently  one  or  two  opposite  pairs 
of  these  leaves  occur  on  the  stalk  below  the  umbrella- 
like top.  The  curious,  solitary  flower  head  is  composed 
of  a  small,  dense,  flat  cluster  of  tiny,  greenish  florets, 
each  of  which  has  four  spreading  petals  and  an  equal 
number  of  stamens.  Four  large,  greenish  white, 
rounded,  petal-like  leaflets  surround  the  cluster,  and 
at  a  glance  the  arrangement  appears  like  a  single  large 
flower  with  a  greenish  centre.  The  flowers  are  borne 
on  the  tip  of  a  slender  stem  an  inch  or  so  above  the 
centre  of  the  leaves.    The  rather  large,  scarlet  berries 

284 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

succeed  the  flowers,  and  form  a  stiff,  crowded  bunch 
that  is  very  attractive  and  decorative.  They  are  said 
to  be  edible,  and  to  woodland  campers  they  are  a  most 
familiar  sight  in  the  autumn.  This  species  is  very  com- 
mon in  cool,  moist  woods  from  Newfoundland  to  Alaska, 
New  Jersey,  Ohio,  Indiana,  Minnesota,  Colorado, 
and  California,  where  it  is  found  blooming  during  May, 
June  and  July. 

ONE-FLOWERED  WINTERQREEN 

Moneses  utiifiora.     Wintergreen  Family. 

This  quaint  little  solitary-flowered  denizen  of  our 
northern  woods  is  often  mistaken  for  a  Pyrola.  The 
slender  stalk  is  acutely  recurved,  somewhat  like  a 
question  mark,  and,  indeed,  when  one  sees  for  the  first 
time  so  large  a  flower  on  such  a  little  plant,  the  sur- 
prise is  apparently  mutual,  for  it  seems  to  say:  "Well, 
what  are  you  staring  at?"  The  stalk  terminates  a 
creeping  underground  shoot,  and  is  beset  with  a  clus- 
ter of  thin,  veiny,  shiny,  rounding,  dark  green  leaves 
which  have  finely  toothed  margins  and  slender  stems. 
The  five-petalled,  white  or  pinkish,  waxy  flower  is 
fragrant,  and  has  ten  white,  yellow-tipped,  widely 
spreading  stamens  and  a  prominent,  green,  club-shaped 
pistil.  It  nods  or  droops  from  the  tip  of  the  curved 
stalk,  and  the  anthers  are  noticeably  large.  The 
stem  becomes  erect  after  the  petals  fall.  It  grows 
from  two  to  six  inches  high  along  banks  of  streams 
and  under  pine  trees  in  deep,  cool  woods,  from  June 
to  August.    It  ranges  from  Labrador  to  Alaska,  and 

285 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD   FLOWERS 

south   to   Connecticut,   Pennsylvania,   Michigan,   and 
in  the  Rockies  to  Colorado  and  Oregon. 

ONE-SIDED  WINTERQREEN 

Pyrola  secunda.     Wintergreen  Family. 

This  strange  little  Pyrola  is  easily  identified  by  its 
drooping,  one-sided  floral  spike  of  greenish  white 
five-lobed,  bell-shaped  flowers  which  have  exceedingly 
prominent  pistils.  Usually  several  slender  flower- 
ing stems  rise  from  four  to  ten  inches  high  from  the 
much-branched  rootstock.  The  thin,  glossy,  oval, 
evergreen  leaf  has  a  rounded  or  narrowed  base,  and 
tapers  toward  the  tip.  The  leaves  grow  in  a  tuft  on 
slender  stems  and  have  a  finely  scalloped  margin  and 
a  strong  midrib.  The  stalk  is  erect  at  first,  but  bends 
to  one  side  as  the  small,  scarcely  nodding  flowers 
mature.  The  flowers  blossom  in  an  irregular  order 
along  the  stalk,  and  the  long,  slightly  curved  pistil 
remains  after  the  petals  have  fallen.  It  should  be 
noted  that  the  petals  are  not  entirely  separated,  but 
are  joined  together  in  growth.  This  little  plant  is 
found  during  June  and  July  in  rich  woods  and  thick- 
ets, from  Labrador  to  Alaska,  south  to  the  District  of 
Columbia,  Pennsylvania,  Michigan,  and  along  the  Rock- 
ies to  Mexico  and  California.     Also  in  Europe  and  Asia. 

SHIN=LEAF 

Pyrola  elliptica.     Wintergreen  Family. 

This,  one  of  the  smallest  of  the  Pyrolas,  is  also  one 
of  the  commonest.     Its  flower  stalk  grows  from  five 

286 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

to  ten  inches  high,  and  bears  from  seven  to  fifteen 
very  fragrant,  greenish  white,  nodding  flowers.  The 
thin,  tough,  evergreen  leaf  is  broadly  oval  or  ellip- 
tical in  shape,  and  narrowed  or  rounded  at  the  base 
where  it  tapers  into  a  short,  reddish  margined  stem. 
The  edges  are  obscurely  dented  with  low  teeth,  and 
the  ribs  and  veins  show  whitish  against  the  dark  green 
surface.  The  stems  of  the  tufted  leaves  are  sheathed 
at  the  base.  The  five  thin  petals  of  the  waxy  flower 
form  a  little,  spreading  cup  within  which  are  the  ten 
yellow-tipped  stamens.  The  long,  curving  pistil 
extends  conspicuously  beyond  the  corolla.  The  five- 
parted,  green  calyx  spreads  to  support  the  petals. 
The  slender  flower  stalk  bears  one  small  leaflet  near  the 
middle.  The  common  name  was  applied  because  the 
leaves  were  formerly  used  to  allay  inflammation  in 
bruises  and  sores.  The  Shin-leaf  is  found  from  June 
to  August,  in  rich  and  mostly  dry  woods,  from  Canada 
to  the  District  of  Columbia,  Illinois,  Michigan,  Iowa, 
and  along  the  Rocky  Mountains  to  New  Mexico. 

ROUND=LEAVED,     PEAR-LEAVED,    OR 

FALSE  WINTERQREEN.    INDIAN, 

OR  CANKER   LETTUCE 

Pyrola  amertcana.     Wintergreen  Family. 

This  is  the  tallest  of  the  Pyrolas,  which  at  a  dis- 
tance resemble  somewhat  the  flowers  of  the  Lily  of 
the  Valley.  The  flower  stalk  rises  from  six  to  twenty 
inches  from  a  perennial,  creeping  root.  The  shin- 
ing, evergreen  leaves  spread  from  the  base  on  long, 

287 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD   FLOWERS 

narrowly  margined  stems.  They  are  thick,  round,  or 
broadly  oval,  and  often  have  obscurely  toothed  margins. 
From  six  to  twenty  delightfully  fragrant,  white,  waxy 
flowers  nod  from  the  slender  spike.  The  thick,  round- 
ing, white  petals  are  rather  spreading,  and  the  calyx 
lobes  are  long  and  slender.  The  flower  has  ten  sta- 
mens, and  an  extended,  curving  pistil.  This  plant 
blossoms  during  June  and  July  in  dry,  open 
woods  from  Georgia  and  Ohio  to  Minnesota,  and 
Canada. 

INDIAN=PIPE.      ICE=PLANT.     GHOST- 
FLOWER.     CORPSE-PLANT 

Monotropa  uniflora.     Indian-pipe  Family. 

Gathered  together  in  stiff,  colourless  groups  of  from 
three  to  a  dozen  or  more,  these  strange,  uncanny,  waxy 
white  flowers  hold  their  silent,  Quaker-like  meetings 
with  bowed  heads,  as  if  awaiting  the  motion  of  some 
woodland  spirit  to  arouse  them.  This  leafless  plant  is 
known  as  a  parasite  because  it  draws  its  nourishment 
from  other  living  roots  and  decaying  vegetable  matter. 
It  is  noticeably  cold  and  clammy  to  the  touch,  and  is 
inclined  to  turn  black  when  plucked  or  exposed  to  the 
sun.  The  Indians  used  the  Ice-plant  for  relieving 
affections  of  the  eyes.  The  white  flower  stem,  which 
grows  from  four  to  ten  inches  high,  is  thick  and  smooth, 
and  springs  from  a  ball  of  matted,  brittle  rootlets.  The 
stem  is  covered  with  small,  scaly  white  bracts.  The 
rather  large,  white  terminal  and  nodding,  oblong, 
shell-shaped  flower  is  wax-like,  scentless,  and  sohtary. 


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MEADOW-SWEET.  Spiraea  salicifolia  YARROW.     Achillea  Millefolium 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

It  has  from  four  to  six  scale-like  petals  and  from  two 
to  four  early  falling  white  sepals.  The  short,  thick 
pistil  is  surrounded  with  usually  ten  stamens.  After 
the  flower  matures,  it  becomes  erect  for  the  seeds  to 
ripen.  It  is  found  commonly  in  dark,  rich  woods, 
from  June  to  August,  and  from  one  end  of  the  country 
to  the  other,  also  in  Japan.  Sometimes  the  entire  plant 
is  tinted  with  pink. 

WHITE  AZALEA.     SWAMP  PINK.     SWAMP 
HONEYSUCKLE.     CLAMMY  AZALEA 

Rhododendron  viscosum.     Heath  Family. 

This  species  closely  resembles  the  Pink  x^zalea  and 
grows  from  four  to  eight  feet  high.  It  is  found  only  in 
swamps  and  low,  wet  places  during  June  and  July. 
The  smaller  flowers  are  deliciously  fragrant,  far  more 
so  than  those  of  the  Pink  species.  The  plant  is  more 
hairy,  and  the  tube  of  corolla  is  covered  with  very 
sticky,  brownish  red  hairs.  It  does  not  become  fully 
flowered  until  its  foliage  has  well  expanded.  It  is  not 
quite  so  leafy  as  the  above  plant,  but  is  perhaps  more 
branchy.  The  long,  oval  leaf  becomes  wider  toward  the 
bluntly  pointed  tip  and  narrows  to  a  very  short  stem. 
The  upper  surface  is  glossy  and  nearly  smooth.  The 
leaves  grow  in  clusters.  The  beautiful  flowers  are  pure 
white  or  occasionally  faintly  tinted  with  pink,  and  the 
long,  yellow  tipped,  white  stamens  are  very  prominent. 
The  calyx  is  very  small  and  hardly  noticeable.  The 
Swamp  Pink  bears  the  same  peculiar  juicy  pulps 
among  its  lovely  flowers,  known  as  May  or  Swamp 

289 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD    FLOWERS 

Apples,  referred  to  in  the  description  of  the  Wild  Honey- 
suckle, The  White  Azalea  is  found  from  Maine, 
Ohio,  and  Arkansas  south  to  Florida  and  Texas.  It  is 
much  more  common  near  the  coast. 

SPRING,  OR  CREEPING   WINTERQREEN.  CHECK- 

ERBERRY.     PARTRIDGE=BERR Y.    MOUNTAIN 

TEA.     GROUND=TEA,   OR   DEW-BERRY 

Gaultheria  procumhens.     Heath  Family. 

To  find  the  Wintergreen  is  to  find  ourselves  tramping 
noiselessly  over  thick,  green,  mossy  rugs,  or  slipping  and 
sliding  over  mattings  of  bleached  pine  needles  in  the 
mountains.  It  has  lured  us  away  from  the  clang  and 
rattle  of  the  trolley,  and  the  din  and  dust  of  the  city. 
And,  as  we  linger  to  catch  our  breath  in  the  cool  shade 
of  the  evergreens,  and  to  sniff  the  delightful,  woodsy 
fragrance  of  the  rare  atmosphere,  we  realize  that  it  is 
also  the  home  of  the  Bunchberry,  Claytonia,  Gold- 
thread and  Trilhum.  Children  and  "grown-ups," 
too,  who  roam  the  woods,  like  to  nibble  on  the  leaves  of 
Wintergreen  because  of  their  pleasant,  aromatic  taste. 
The  leaves  are  also  used  for  making  a  fragrant  tea,  and 
Wintergreen  oil  is  popularly  used  as  a  liniment,  particu- 
larly in  cases  of  rheumatism.  Wintergreen  lozenges 
are  used  in  slight  throat  affections.  The  edible  "  berry" 
is  frequently  found  in  the  markets.  The  slender,  creep- 
ing stalk  extends  along  the  surface  of  the  ground,  or 
just  below  it,  and  sends  up  its  erect  branches  from  two 
to  six  inches  in  height.  The  thick,  shining,  evergreen 
leaves  are  oval  or  oblong  in  shape,  with  rounded  tips 

290 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

and  narrowed  bases.  They  are  short-stemmed,  and  the 
indistinctly  sharp-toothed  margins  are  turned  back- 
ward. They  are  borne  alternately  in  small  terminal 
clusters  at  the  top  of  the  branching  stems.  At  first  the 
leaves  are  light  yellowish  green,  becoming  darker  and 
bronzed  with  age.  The  small  white,  bell-like  flowers 
are  usually  sohtary  and  hang  nodding  from  among  the 
leaves.  They  are  urn-shaped,  minutely  five-toothed, 
and  are  succeeded  by  a  bright  red,  mealy,  and  very 
spicy-flavoured  fruit.  This  fruit  consists  of  the  seed 
case  that  is  enclosed  when  ripe  by  the  calyx,  which 
thickens  and  turns  fleshy  and  appears  as  a  globular 
red  berry.  The  berry-like  fruit  is  found  in  October 
and  throughout  the  winter.  The  flower  season  con- 
tinues from  June  to  September,  and  the  plant  is  found 
from  Newfoundland  to  Manitoba,  southward  to  New 
Jersey,  Georgia  and  Michigan. 

CREEPING  SNOWBERRY,     MOXIE   PLUM 

Chiogenes  htspidula.     Huckleberry  Family. 

In  cool,  damp  woods  where  the  exquisite  Twin-flower 
and  familiar  Clintonia  love  to  dwell,  this  daintiest  of  our 
low,  traiUng  plants  decorates  the  mossy  hummocks  of 
smouldering  stumps  with  its  beautiful,  evergreen  foliage. 
It  is  a  very  slender,  hairy  stemmed,  and  branching 
creeper  with  two  rows  of  very  tiny,  stiff,  rounded  or 
pointed  oval,  dark  green  alternating  leaves.  They 
are  glossy  above  and  rusty- haired  beneath  and,  on  the 
curled  edges,  are  also  hairy.  The  tiny,  solitary,  white 
flowers  spring  sparingly  from  the  leaf  axils  on  short, 

291 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD    FLOWERS 

nodding  stems,  with  two  large  bractlets  under  the 
calyx.  The  bell-like  corolla  is  four-cleft  with  rounded 
lobes.  The  little  flowers  blossom  during  May  and 
June  and  are  succeeded  by  a  finely  haired,  globular, 
aromatic,  mealy,  snowy  white  berry  which  is  edible  and 
matures  during  August  and  September.  The  berries 
and  foliage  have  a  pleasing  flavour  like  that  of  Winter- 
green  or  Sweet-birch.  The  Snowberry  is  also  found  in 
our  cranberry  and  peat  bogs,  and  ranges  from  North 
Carolina  and  Michigan  northward  to  British  Columbia 
and  Newfoundland.  The  generic  name  is  from  the 
Greek,  meaning  snow-born  or  snow  of  spring  and 
alludes  to  the  snow  white  berries. 

STAR   FLOWER.     CHICKWEED  WINTER- 
GREEN.     STAR  ANEMONE 

Trtentalts  americana.     Primrose  Family. 

This  delicate  little  white,  starry  flower  is  found  during 
May  and  June  in  damp,  open  woods  and  thickets, 
from  Virginia,  IlHnois,  and  Minnesota  far  into  Canada. 
It  grows  from  three  to  nine  inches  high  from  a  long, 
slender,  horizontal  or  creeping  rootstock.  The  smooth, 
slender  stalk  bears  a  whorl  of  from  five  to  ten  thin, 
smooth,  veiny  leaves  at  its  summit.  The  unequally 
sized  leaves  are  lance-shaped  and  taper  sharply  toward 
both  ends.  They  are  short-stemmed,  and  their  margins 
are  finely  nicked  with  rounded  teeth.  The  flat,  spread- 
ing flower  has  from  five  to  nine  sharply  pointed  petals. 
The  blossoms  are  usually  solitary  and  rise  above  the 
leaves   on    a    slender    stem,    which    springs    with    a 

292 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

noticeable  curve  from  one  side  of  the  centre  of 
the  leaf  whorl.  The  long-pointed,  green  sepals 
alternate  with  the  petals,  and  the  ten,  long,  spreading, 
white,  orange-tipped  stamens  are  united  in  a  ring 
around   the  pistil  at  their  base, 

INDIAN   HEMP.     AMY-ROOT 

Apocynum  cannab'iniim.     Dogbane  Family. 

This  species  is  very  similar  to  the  Spreading  Dog- 
bane. The  five-pointed,  tubular  flowers,  however, 
are  very  small  and  greenish  white  and  are  borne 
erect  in  terminal  clusters.  The  plant  is  somewhat 
less  scrawly  and  grows  from  about  one  to  four  feet  in 
height  from  a  deep,  vertical  root.  It  is  found  in 
gravelly  or  sandy  soils,  chiefly  near  streams,  and  varies 
greatly.  It  flowers  from  June  to  August,  The  tip 
of  the  long,  oval  leaf  is  very  sharply  pointed,  and  the 
juice  is  milky  and  sticky.  The  tough-fibred  stalks 
offer  a  substitute  for  hemp,  and  were  employed  by  the 
Indians  fo  making  twine,  fish  nets,  baskets  and  kindred 
articles.  The  root  is  used  in  medicine  to  some 
extent,  Indian  Hemp  is  found  in  fields  and  thickets 
from  Florida  and  lower  California,  northward  into 
the  British  Possessions. 

WHORLED  MILKWEED 

Asdeptas  verttciUata.     Milkweed  Family. 

This  dainty,  low  growing  Milkweed  is  characterized 
by  the  extremely  small,  narrow  leaves  which  are 
arranged  in  whorls  along  the  milky,  swaying  stalk. 

293 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD    FLOWERS 

The  latter  is  very  leafy,  slender,  and  hairy  and  often 
branches  sparingly  at  the  top.  It  grows  from  one  to 
two  feet  high  from  a  cluster  of  roots.  The  delicate, 
thread-like  leaves  are  nearly  smooth,  and  from  three 
to  seven  are  grouped  in  circles,  or  occasionally  they 
alternate.  The  margins  are  slightly  turned  back- 
ward. The  many  greenish  white  flowers  are  arranged 
in  numerous  clusters  or  umbels,  and  are  set  on  slender 
stems  both  along  the  upper  stalk  and  terminally.  The 
oblong  or  egg-shaped  parts  of  the  corolla  are  greenish 
white,  and  the  rounding  oval  or  oblong  white  hoods 
are  half  as  long  as  the  incurved  awl-shaped  horn. 
It  is  found  commonly  in  open  woods  and  dry  fields, 
on  hills  and  prairies  from  Maine  to  Saskatchewan 
and  south  to  Florida,  Mexico  and  New  Mexico,  from 
July  to  September.  This  plant  is  used  in  the 
Southern  States,  where  it  is  very  common,  as  a 
remedy  for  snake  bites  and  for  relieving  the  bites 
or  stings  of  venomous  insects. 

COMMON   DODDER.      LOVE=VINE. 
STRANQLE=WEED 

Cuscuta  Gronovtt.     Dodder  Family. 

This  is  the  commonest  of  our  Dodders,  and  is  found 
in  twisted  and  tangled  masses  about  herbs  and  low 
shrubs,  during  July  and  August,  from  Canada  to  the 
Gulf  States.  It  is  a  variable  species  and  is  known  as  a 
parasite.  Its  seeds  germinate  annually  in  the  soil  and 
the  plantlet  promptly  attaches  itself  to  the  nearest 
favourable  growth  which  becomes  its  host.     Its  roots 

294 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

and  lower  portion  soon  perish,  and  the  vine  then  depends 
upon  its  numerous,  minute  suckers  to  absorb  its  nourish- 
ment from  the  host  to  which  it  is  attached.  It  is  a 
slender,  high  climbing,  leafless,  thread-like  vine,  vary- 
ing in  colour  from  yellow  to  orange,  and  producing 
numerous,  dense  clusters  of  tiny,  dull  white  flowers. 
The  little  corolla  is  broadly  bell-shaped  with  five 
rounded,  spreading  lobes  containing  five  fringed 
scales,  above  which  are  inserted  the  five  stamens. 
The  minute  calyx  is  greenish  white.  This  Dodder 
is  found  chiefly  in  moist,  shaded  soil  in  low  thickets 
and  near  streams. 

BLACK,  OR  COMMON   NIGHTSHADE 

Solarium  nigrum.     Potato  Family. 

A  low,  native,  annual  species  growing  one  or  two 
feet  high  in  rich,  shaded  grounds  from  July  to  Octo- 
ber. It  is  usually  smooth,  much-branched,  and 
spreading.  The  thin,  pointed-oval  leaf  is  wavy-toothed, 
and  is  either  narrowed  or  rounded  at  the  base.  The 
small,  white  flowers  are  similar  in  structure  to  those 
of  the  purple-flowered  species,  and  the  fruit  is  round, 
juicy  and  black.  There  is  some  question  as  to  the 
extent  of  the  poisonous  qualities  which  have  been 
attributed  to  this  plant  and  its  fruit.  It  is  employed  in 
medicine,  and  in  the  Isles  of  France  and  Bourbon  as 
well  as  in  the  Hawaiian  Islands,  the  leaves  are  said 
to  be  extensively  used  as  food,  being  boiled  like  spin- 
ach. In  the  Dakotas,  according  to  Professor  Hansen, 
this  plant  is  known  as  the   Stubbleberry,  and  the  fruit 

295 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD    FLOWERS 

is  much  used  for  pies  and  preserves.  The  Night-shade 
is  extremely  variable,  and  ranges  from  the  Atlantic 
to  the  Pacific,  and  from  Nova  Scotia  to  the  North- 
west Territory  and  south  to  the  Gulf  States.  It  is 
also  a  widely  distributed  and  common  plant  in  nearly 
all  countries. 

JAMESTOWN,   OR  JIMSON-WEED.      DEVIL'S 
TRUMPET.      STRAMONIUM 

Datura  Stramonium.     Potato  Family. 

The  well-known,  rank-odoured,  showy-flowered 
Jimson-weed's  chief  occupation  seems  to  be  in  hiding 
the  unsightly  scars  created  by  ruthless  man,  in  the 
shape  of  refuse  piles,  public  dumps,  and  neglected 
barnyards.  The  dried  leaves  are  smoked  in  a  pipe 
by  people  seeking  relief  from  asthma.  The  fruit  is 
poisonous,  and  the  flowers  have  been  known  to  pro- 
duce serious  results  when  held  in  the  mouth.  This 
plant  is  a  stout,  smooth,  bushy  annual  with  a  coarse 
green  stem,  growing  from  one  to  five  feet  high.  The 
large,  thin,  smooth  leaves  are  pointed-oval  in  outline 
with  an  irregular,  wavy,  toothed  margin.  They  have 
a  veined  surface,  and  are  long  stemmed.  The  large, 
showy,  Morning-glory-like  white  flowers,  which 
open  late  in  the  afternoon,  have  a  heavy  odour,  and 
grow  erect  and  solitary  from  the  forks  of  the  branches. 
The  large,  tubular  calyx  is  five  toothed  and  angular. 
The  five-pointed,  funnel-formed  corolla  has  a  deep 
throat  and  contains  five  stamens  and  a  pistil.  The 
Indians  call  this  species  the  ''White  Man's  Plant." 

296 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

It  blossoms  from  June  to  September,  and  ranges  from 
Nova  Scotia  to  Minnesota,  and  south  to  the  Gulf  States. 

CULVER'S  ROOT.     CULVER'S  PHYSIC. 
BLACK=ROOT 

Veronica  vtrginica.     Figwort  Family. 

Bold  and  stately,  this  tall  and  rather  stiff  white- 
flowered  perennial  herb  rears  its  wand-like  spires  from 
two  to  seven  feet  high  in  rich,  moist  woods,  thickets,  and 
meadows,  from  June  to  September.  The  plant  is 
smooth,  slender,  and  usually  unbranched.  The  long- 
tapering  lance-shaped,  short-stemmed,  sharply  toothed, 
and  noticeably  veined  leaves  are  arranged  in  circles 
of  from  three  to  nine.  The  numerous  white  or  bluish, 
four-lobed,  long,  tubular  flowers  have  two  protrud- 
ing stamens  each,  and  are  densely  crowded  on  long, 
slender  terminal  spikes.  This  plant  is  said  to  have 
been  used  considerably  as  a  remedy  in  domestic  prac- 
tice by  the  Indians  and  the  early  settlers.  It  is  found 
from  Canada  to  Alabama,  Mississippi,  and  Nebraska. 

CLEAVERS.     GOOSE  GRASS.     CLEAVERWORT 

Galium  Apartne.     Madder  Family. 

This  particular  Bedstraw  has  literally  more  popular 
names  than  one  could  shake  a  stick  at.  No  less  than 
seventy  have  been  recorded  to  its  credit!  The  generic 
name,  Galium^  was  mentioned  by  Dioscorides  as 
being  used  for  curdling  milk.  This  is  an  annual 
species,  having  a  small,  weak,  square  stem  with  its 
edges    armed    with    tiny    downward -slanting    barbs, 

297 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD   FLOWERS 

and  grows  from  about  two  to  five  feet  long.  The 
short-pointed,  narrow,  tapering  oval  leaf  is  set  in  a 
whorl  of  six  or  eight  at  short  distances  along  the  stalk. 
Their  margins  and  midribs  are  very  rough.  The  incon- 
spicuous, four-parted,  white  flowers  are  set  in  clusters 
of  from  one  to  three  on  rough  stems  that  spring  from 
the  angles  of  the  leaves.  The  juice  of  this  plant  is 
used  as  a  remedy  for  dropsy.  It  is  found  from  May  to 
September  in  rich,  shaded  grounds  and  along  the 
seashore,  from  New  Brunswick  to  Florida,  and  from 
Ontario  to  Missouri  and  Texas. 

STIFF  MARSH   BEDSTRAW.     WILD  MADDER 

Galium  tinciorium.     Madder  Family. 

This  stiff,  erect  perennial  species  grows  from  six  to 
fifteen  inches  high.  The  branching  stem  is  nearly 
smooth,  and  the  lance-shaped,  dull  green  leaves  are 
mostly  in  whorls  of  four.  The  white  flowers  are 
borne  terminally  in  twos  and  threes.  The  Wild  Mad- 
der is  found  from  May  to  July,  in  damp,  shady  places, 
and  in  wet  meadows  and  swamp  lands,  from  Canada  to 
North  Carolina  and  Tennessee,  west  to  Michigan, 
Nebraska  and  Arizona.  The  root  of  the  Wild  Mad- 
der was  used  by  the  Indians  for  staining  their  feathers, 
skins  and  other  ornaments  red. 

SWEET=SCENTED,   OR  FRAGRANT    BEDSTRAW 

Galium  triflorum.     Madder  Family. 

This  is  a  perennial  species,  having  its  shining, 
broad    lance-shaped,    bristle-pointed    leaves    grouped 

298 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

in  whorls  of  three,  and  its  greenish  flowers  usually  in 
clusters  of  three.  The  foHage  becomes  sweet-scented 
in  drying.  It  is  found  from  June  to  August,  from 
the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  and  from  Alaska  to  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico.  Also  around  the  world  through  nor- 
thern Europe  and  the  Himalayas  to  Japan. 

PARTRIDQE=BERRY.     TWIN=BERRY 

Mitchella  repens.     Madder  Family. 

One  of  our  smallest,  prettiest,  and  most  common 
creeping  herbs,  having  three  conspicuous  character- 
istics that  make  an  otherwise  insignificant  vine  of  more 
than  passing  interest.  First  of  all  are  the  evergreen 
leaves;  then  the  delightfully  fragrant  twin  flowers: 
and,  finally,  relatively  large,  attractive  scarlet  fruit. 
The  Partridge-berry  enjoys  a  most  luxuriant  growth, 
extending  itself  from  six  to  twelve  inches  in  length. 
Its  slender  and  often  branching  stalk  trails  along  over 
the  ground,  or  grass,  or  mossy  rocks  near  its  abode  in 
a  thrifty,  self-satisfied  manner,  often  forming  large 
masses.  The  smooth,  round,  leafy  stem  takes  root 
again  and  again  at  its  leaf  joints  as  it  extends.  It  is 
light  green  in  colour,  and  is  sometimes  stained  with  red. 
The  leaves  occur  in  opposite  pairs  at  short  intervals 
on  tiny  stems.  They  are  small,  shiny  and  dark  green, 
with  the  under  surface  of  a  lighter  shade.  The  mid- 
rib is  prominent,  and  the  veinings  are  easily  traced. 
These  ribbings  in  a  lighter  shade  show  plainly,  giv- 
ing the  older  leaves  a  variegated  aspect.  The  leaves 
are  generally  rounding  egg-shaped,  at  first  almost  round 

299 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD    FLOWERS 

and  slightly  heart-shaped  at  the  base,  and  tapering 
toward  a  rounding  apex.  Their  texture  is  thin  and 
stiff,  but  exceedingly  tough.  The  margin  is  toothless 
and  occasionally  a  little  wavy.  The  flowers,  which 
appear  from  April  to  July  and  frequently  again  during 
autumn,  are  singularly  pretty  and  interesting,  and 
one  cannot  help  comparing  them  instinctively  with 
those  of  the  Trailing  Arbutus.  They  are  noticeably 
large  for  the  size  of  the  vine  and  its  leaves,  and  as 
they  always  blossom  in  pairs,  this  appearance  is  more 
striking.  They  exhale  an  exquisite  and  refreshing 
fragrance,  not  unlike  that  of  lilacs.  The  flowers  are 
funnel-shaped  with  four  spreading,  recurved,  petal- 
like points,  the  inner  surface  of  which  is  covered  with 
a  fine  white  or  light  creamish  white,  cottony  fuzz  that 
fairly  fills  the  throat  of  the  stout,  waxy  corolla.  The 
outer  surface  of  the  tube  is  shiny  and  shades  from 
white  at  its  base  to  purple  at  the  tips.  The  flower  is 
half  an  inch  long,  and  the  tubes  are  often  united,  form- 
ing so-called  double  flowers.  The  little  green  calyxes 
of  the  twin  flowers  are  united,  and  together  they  spring 
from  the  tip  of  the  single  terminal  stem.  The  flowers 
are  of  two  sorts.  In  one  the  stamens  are  very  short 
and  do  not  show,  and  the  pistil  is  very  long,  extend- 
ing beyond  the  corolla,  while  in  the  other,  these  con- 
ditions are  exactly  reversed  and  the  dark-tipped 
stamens  protrude.  There  are  four  stamens  attached 
to  the  throat  of  each  flower,  one  each  between  the 
divisions  thereof.  The  pistil  has  a  four-pointed  style. 
The  fruit  is  smafl,  oval,  and  berry-like,  and  when  it  is 

300 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

matured,  it  is  a  smooth  and  shiny  coral-red,  and  has 
two  eye-like  openings.  These  red  berries  are  abun- 
dant and  conspicuous  during  the  fall  and  winter,  and 
are  relished  by  birds  and  small  animals.  Indeed, 
there  are  few  persons  who  roam  the  woods  who  have 
not  indulged  in  this  tempting  yet  quite  tasteless  fruit. 
It  is  often  found  on  sale  in  the  markets  at  holiday  time. 
This  vine  is  called  sometimes  the  Squaw-berry,  and 
it  is  said  to  have  been  steeped  and  used  by  the  Indian 
squaws  as  a  medicine  which  they  commonly  believed 
possessed  some  peculiar  advantages.  This  plant  is 
named  Mitchella,  after  Dr.  John  Mitchell,  of  Virginia, 
one  of  our  first  American  botanists,  and  who  was  a 
correspondent  of  Linnaeus.  It  has  many  interest- 
ing local  names  among  which  are  Hive-vine,  Squaw- 
vine,  Checkerberry,  Deerberry,  Foxberry,  Box- 
berry,  Partridge-vine,  and  Winter  Clover.  It  is  easily 
transplanted  and  grows  readily  about  the  garden. 
It  is  found  abundantly  in  the  woods,  often  about  the 
base  of  pine  trees,  and  along  partly  shaded  hillsides, 
from  Nova  Scotia  to  Florida,  and  to  western  Ontario, 
Minnesota,  Arkansas,  and  Texas. 

BONESET.     INDIAN  SAGE.     AGUE-WEED. 

THOROUGHWORT.     WILD  SAGE. 

CROSSWORT 

Eupatorium  perfoliatum.     Thistle  Family. 

The  very  thought  of  Boneset  will  send  a  shudder 
through  most  everyone  who  has  been  "brought  up" 
in  the  good,  old-fashioned  way.    Wet  feet  and  snuffles, 

301 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD   FLOWERS 

headache  and  cough,  fever  and  ague,  Boneset  tea  and 
goose   grease!     My,    oh   my!     And   yet   Boneset    tea 
certainly   has   a  knack   of  rallying   drooping   spirits, 
and   particularly   so   while   it  is  being   administered, 
for  it  is  a  horrible  dose  to  take.     However,  it  has  long 
been  regarded  as  a  household  remedy  of  no  mean  dis- 
tinction.    The   Indians   are   said   to   have   first   used 
this   plant  and  called   it   Ague-weed.     Boneset   taffy 
was  often  substituted  for  the  tea  and  was  easier  to  take. 
The  latter  was  most  effective  in  breaking  up  attacks 
of  influenza,  muscular  rheumatism,  or  a  general  cold, 
and  as  a  tonic  in  dyspepsia,  jaundice,   and  general 
debility,  also  in  producing  perspiration.     Yes,  indeed> 
Boneset  saved  many  a  doctor's  bill,  and  there  is  still 
many  a  bagful  hung  from  the  rafters  in  the  garrets  of 
old   country   homes.     The   large,    round,    hairy   stalk 
grows  from  two  to  five  feet  in  height,  and  branches  at 
the    top.     The    long,    tapering,    and    slender-pointed 
leaves  are  set  upon  and  around  the  stalk  in  opposite 
and  completely  united  pairs.     They  appear  like  one 
long,  continuous  leaf  with  the  stalk  passing  through 
its  centre.     They  are  finely  notched  v/ith  round-pointed 
teeth,  and  their  upper  surface  is  rough  and  wrinkled, 
with  numerous  veinings,  while  the  under  side  is  hairy. 
They  alternate  at  regular  distant  intervals  on  the  stalk. 
The  numerous  tiny,  tubular  florets  are  greenish  white 
in  colour,   and  from  ten  to    sixteen  are  gathered   in 
small,  dense  tufts,  which  terminate  the  branches  in 
rather   crowded,    flat-topped   clusters.     The   protrud- 
ing stamens  give  the  flowers  a  fluffy  appearance.     The 

302 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

leaves  and  flowering  tops  are  used  in  medicine;  their 
odour  is  faintly  aromatic,  and  the  taste  is  bitter  and 
astringent.  Boneset  is  commonly  found  from  July  to 
September,  in  low,  wet  places  along  streams  and  on  the 
edges  of  swamps  and  in  thickets,  from  New  Bruns- 
wick to  Manitoba,  Florida,  Nebraska,  and  Texas. 

WHITE  SNAKEROOT.      WHITE  SANICLE.     DEER- 
WORT  BONESET.     INDIAN  SANICLE 

Eupatorium  urticaefoltum.     Thistle  Family. 

A  usually  smooth  and  much-branched  species  grow- 
ing from  one  to  four  feet  high,  with  opposite,  slender- 
stemmed  leaves.  It  is  a  much  more  graceful  and  hand- 
some plant  than  the  common  Boneset,  and  is  not  quite 
so  frequently  found.  The  large,  thin,  broadly  oval 
leaves  are  taper-pointed,  coarsely  and  sharply  toothed, 
smooth  surfaced,  three-nerved  and  veiny.  From  ten 
to  thirty  tiny  white  florets  are  loosely  grouped  into 
small,  fringy  heads  which  are  closely  gathered  in  a 
terminal  and  somewhat  flat-topped  cluster.  This  plant 
grows  from  July  to  November,  in  rich  woods,  from 
Canada    to    Georgia,    Nebraska,    and    the    Indian 

Territory. 

WHITE  WOOD  ASTER 

Aster  divaricatus.     Thistle  Family. 

A  dainty,  pleasing  species  of  extremely  varying 
habit,  favouring  the  shaded  portions  of  well-drained 
woodlands  and  thickets,  but  often  found  along  dusty 
roadsides.  The  slightly  zigzagged,  brittle,  green  stalk 
rises  from  one  and  a  half  to  two  feet  high,  and  branches 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD   FLOWERS 

irregularly  at  the  top.  It  is  often  streaked  with  a  red 
or  purplish  stain.  The  thin-textured,  rather  smooth, 
slender-stemmed  leaves  are  broadly  lance-shaped, 
and  have  long,  sharp,  tapering  points.  The  margins 
are  coarsely  and  irregularly  nicked  with  sharp,  spread- 
ing teeth.  They  are  broader  and  heart-shaped  at  the 
stem  toward  the  base  of  the  stalk.  The  flowers  are 
loosely  arranged  in  a  broad,  flattened,  and  repeatedly 
forked  top.  The  few  yellow  disc  florets  finally  turn  to 
brown.  The  thin,  narrow,  white  ray  flowers  number 
from  six  to  twelve,  and  are  occasionally  tinted.  This 
Aster  is  one  of  the  earliest  to  blossom,  and  ranges  from 
Canada  to  Manitoba,  Georgia,  and  Tennessee,  from 
August  to  October. 

WHITE  HEATH,  OR  FROST-WEED  ASTER.   FROST= 

WEED.     MICHAELMAS      DAISY.      FAREWELL 

SUMMER.     WHITE   ROSEMARY.      DOQ=FEN= 

NEL.     MARE'S  TAIL.      SCRUB=BRUSH 

Jster  ericotdes.     Thistle  Family. 

A  common,  small-flowered,  and  usually  bushy 
Aster  with  its  nearly  smooth  stalk  rising  from  one  to 
three  feet,  and  covered  with  very  small,  bract-like 
leaflets.  It  is  so  closely  studded  with  the  prettiest  little 
flowers  that  methinks  it  may  well  be  the  Christmas 
tree  of  Fairyland,  spangled  with  starlets.  The  leaves 
are  firm  or  rigid,  and  the  lower  ones  are  paddle-shaped 
with  toothed  margins  and  narrowed  into  winged  stems. 
The  upper  leaves  are  long,  narrow  and  toothless.  The 
flower  heads  are  very  numerous  and  measure  from  one- 
third  to    one-half    an    inch  across.     From  fifteen  to 

304 


3^. 


WILD  CARROT.     QUEEN  ANNE'S    LACE.     Daucus  Carota 


BONESET.     INDIAN  SAGE.     Eupatorium  perfoliatum 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

twenty-five  fine,  white  or  rose-tinted  rays  surround 
the  yellow  disc  florets.  The  flowers  are  thickly  set 
along  one  side  of  the  numerous,  wire-Hke  branches, 
and  become  very  attractive  as  the  majority  bloom  at 
about  the  same  period.  The  rays  are  necessarily 
very  fine.  The  yellow  centre  is  plump  and  compact, 
and  it  resembles  a  miniature  Daisy  more  than 
the  general  run  of  Asters.  This  Aster  is  found 
almost  everywhere  in  dry  soil,  from  August  to 
October,  and  from  Maine  and  Ontario  to  Florida, 
west  to  Wisconsin  and  Kentucky. 

DENSE-FLOWERED,   OR  WHITE  WREATH 
ASTER.      FALL  FLOWER 

Aster  multtflorus.     Thistle  Family. 

This  tiny-flowered  Aster  is  common  in  dry,  open 
places  from  August  to  November,  and  grows  from  one 
to  seven  feet  high,  with  ascending  and  spreading 
branches.  It  is  so  thickly  covered  with  the  finest 
whitish  hairs  as  to  appear  pale  and  hoary.  The  leaves 
are  very  narrow  and  rigid,  with  entire  margins,  and 
they  partly  clasp  the  stalk  at  the  base.  They  are  rough 
to  the  touch,  and  those  which  are  crowded  on  the 
branches  are  very  small  and  bract-like.  The  minute 
flowers  measure  from  one-quarter  to  one-third  of  an 
inch  across  and  are  densely  clustered  along  the  branches. 
They  have  from  ten  to  twenty  white  rays  and  the  yel- 
low disc  florets  are  few  in  number.  The  leaflets  are 
so  very  numerous  that  notwithstanding  the  reckless  pro- 
fusion of  the  flowers,  the  plant  shows  much  of  the  green 

305 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD   FLOWERS 

foliage.     It  ranges  from  Maine  and  Ontario  to  British 
Columbia,  southward  to  Georgia,  Texas,  and  Arizona. 

WHORLED,  OR  MOUNTAIN   ASTER 

Aster  acuminatus.     Thistle  Family. 

A  low-growing  woodland  Aster  with  very  large, 
sharply  pointed  leaves  so  closely  alternated  toward  the 
top  of  the  stalk  beneath  the  flowers  as  to  appear  as 
though  they  were  whorled.  The  flowers  often  have 
a  scrawly,  bedraggled  appearance  that  gives  the  plant 
an  untidy  effect.  The  somewhat  hairy  and  zigzag 
stalk  grows  from  one  to  three  feet  high.  It  is  generally 
naked  below  with  the  great,  drooping  leaves  which 
spread  from  the  crowded  top  in  a  ragged  circle.  The 
thin-textured,  coarsely  toothed  leaves  are  broadly  ob- 
long, tapering  at  the  apex  and  narrowing  into  a  wedge- 
like base.  The  flower  heads,  few  or  several,  are  an  inch 
or  an  inch  and  a  half  broad.  The  long,  narrow  rays, 
numbering  from  twelve  to  eighteen,  are  white  or  purple 
tinted  and  surround  the  purple-stained  centre  of  tubular 
yellow  florets.  The  flowers  are  set  on  long,  slender  stems 
that  spread  just  above  the  clustered  leaves.  This  strik- 
ing Aster  is  found  only  in  cool,  rich,  moist  woods  from 
Labrador  to  Ontario  and  New  York,  and  southward 
along  the  Alleghanies  to  Georgia,  from  July  to  October. 

DAISY  FLEABANE.     SWEET  SCABIOUS 

Erigeron  annuus.     Thistle  Family. 

The  common  Daisy  Fleabane  follows  immediately 
upon  the  heels  of  Robin's  Plantain  in  June.    It  is  one 

306 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

of  the  smallest  of  the  Daisy-like  flowers,  having  a  light, 
greenish  yellow  centre  with  a  finely  fringed  wreath  of 
from  forty  to  seventy  fine  white  or  often  purple-tinged 
ray  flowers.  It  is  easily  confused  with  others  of  its 
kind,  owing  to  its  similarity.  The  name  Fleabane 
was  applied  to  this  plant  because  there  was  a  popular 
belief  among  country  people  that  the  flowers  possessed 
some  objectionable  features  that  caused  undesirable 
insects  to  give  it  a  wide  berth.  Accordingly  the  flowers 
were  gathered  and  hung  over  the  windows  and  doors, 
or  they  were  dried  and  coarsely  powdered  and  scattered 
about  infected  places  in  the  house.  Sometimes  when 
the  insects  became  too  persistent,  a  few  of  the  dried 
flowers  were  burned  in  the  rooms  so  that  the  smoke 
would  drive  them  away.  The  erect,  light  green  stalk 
is  long,  slender,  grooved,  hollow,  hairy  and  leafy.  It 
grows  from  one  to  four  feet  high  and  branches  at  the 
top  where  several  flowers  are  borne  on  each  terminal. 
The  thin  textured,  light  green  leaves  are  soft  and 
velvety  to  the  touch,  and  their  strong  midribs  show 
prominently.  They  are  generally  lance-shaped,  tapering 
toward  the  point  and  narrowing  into  a  long  stem  at  the 
base.  The  margin  is  coarsely  notched  into  sharp  teeth. 
The  leaves  graduate  in  size  from  the  foot  of  the  stalk, 
becoming  very  small  and  narrow,  with  the  toothed 
margins  disappearing  entirely  as  they  approach  the  top 
where  they  seem  to  set  directly  upon  the  stalk.  Their 
arrangement  is  alternate.  The  flowers  have  a  little 
odour  and  at  night  the  ray  flowers  close  upward,  enfold- 
ing the  centre,    They  are  found  almost  everywhere 

307 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD    FLOWERS 

in  fields  and  along  roadsides  and  often  along  the  edge 
of  woodlands,  from  Nova  Scotia  to  the  Northwest 
Territory,  and  south  to  Virginia,  Kentucky,  and 
Missouri,  from  May  to  November. 

PEARLY,    LARQE=FLOWERED    OR     LIFE     EVER= 

LASTING.     SILVER=LEAF,    MOONSHINE.   COT= 

TON=WEED.      NONE=SO=PRETTY 

Anaphalis  margarifacea.     Thistle  Family. 

This  is  the  prettiest  of  our  Everlastings.  It  is  much 
used  for  making  memorial  wreaths,  and  for  decorating 
vases  or  catch-alls  on  the  mantelpieces  in  country 
houses.  The  little  flowers  have  been  likened  to  the 
forms  of  miniature  Roses  or  Water  Lilies.  Before  they 
open,  they  really  have  a  round,  pearly  look.  They 
also  hgive  a  slight  odour.  The  erect,  round,  cottony 
stem  grows  from  one  to  three  feet  high  and  is  leafy  up 
to  the  spreading,  flowering  top.  The  toothless  leaves 
are  very  long  and  narrow  with  a  noticeable  midrib. 
They  are  narrowed  to  the  clasping  base,  and  circle  the 
stalk  alternatingly.  They  are  grayish  green  above 
and  woolly  beneath.  The  little  flower  heads  are  formed 
of  many  dry,  pearly  white,  overlapping  scales  enclosing 
a  tuft  of  numerous  fuzzy,  yellow  tubular  florets,  and  are 
borne  in  small  groups  that  are  gathered  in  a  terminal, 
slightly  rounded  or  fiat-topped  cluster.  When  fully 
expanded  and  matured,  the  centres  become  brownish. 
The  flowers  are  both  staminate  and  pistillate,  and  grow 
on  different  plants.  They  have  been  used  in  domestic 
practice  as  a  cough  medicine,  and  also  as  an  application 

308 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

for  healing  bruises.  This  Everlasting  is  common  from 
July  to  September,  in  dry  fields,  hillsides,  and  recent 
clearings,  from  Alaska  to  Newfoundland,  North  Caro- 
lina, Kansas,  and  California,  also  in  northern  Asia. 
It  was  naturalized  in  this  country  from  Europe. 

PLAINTAIN=LEAF,   SPRING,   EARLY,   OR     MOUSE- 
EAR   EVERLASTING.     WHITE   PLANTAIN. 
PUSSY=TOES.      LADIES'   TOBACCO 

Antennaria  plantaginifolia.   Thistle  Family. 

Broad,  white  patches  of  this  very  common  Everlast- 
ing carpet  dry  fields  and  hillside  pastures  almost  every- 
where during  the  early  spring.  It  seems  to  come  out  of 
the  ground  with  the  frost  and  is  the  earliest  of  its  kind 
to  appear.  It  spreads  its  leafy  tufts  by  runners,  and 
the  leafy,  woolly  stalk  sprawls  along  the  ground.  The 
flowering  stems  grow  from  six  to  eighteen  inches  in 
height.  The  basal  leaves  are  paddle-shaped,  or 
broadly  oval,  and  sometimes  smooth.  They  have  short 
stems  and  are  distinctly  three-ribbed.  They  are  dark 
green  above  and  silvery  beneath.  The  upper  leaves  are 
oblong  or  lance-shaped,  and  stemless  and  usually  small 
and  distant.  The  numerous  tubular  flowers  are  set  in 
their  little  pale  green  cups  and  are  crowded  into  small 
terminal  heads.  They  are  of  two  kinds,  pistillate  and 
staminate,  and  occur  on  separate  plants,  often  in 
distinct  patches.  The  former  appear  like  miniature 
inverted,  silvery  white  tassels  of  silk,  and  the 
latter,  on  smaller  plants,  are  more  disc  -  like  and 
creamy  white  with  brownish,  orange-tipped  stamens. 
They   are   found  from  April  to  June  in  dry  soil   in 

309 


WHITE   AND   GREENISH  WILD   FLOWERS 

rocky    fields    and    open    woods,    from    Texas    and 
Florida  to  Nebraska  and  Labrador. 


SWEET,  OR   WHITE   BALSAM.     SWEET,   OR    FRA= 

GRANT  LIFE  EVERLASTING.       POVERTY. 

BALSAM=WEED.     INDIAN   POSEY 

Gnaphalium  polycephalum.     Thistle  Family. 

A  fragrant  annual  species  with  oval,  or  compressed 
oblong  heads  that  do  not  expand  until  the  seed  is 
matured.  The  leafy  stalk  grows  from  one  to  three 
feet  high.  The  lance-shaped,  wavy  leaves  are  acutely 
pointed,  and  are  densely  covered  with  whitish  wool  on 
the  underside  The  yellowish  white  flower  heads  are 
composed  of  many  tubular  florets,  and  are  loosely 
clustered  at  the  summit  of  the  branches.  Sweet 
Balsam  is  very  common  in  old  fields  and  in  dry,  open 
woods  from  Florida,  Texas  and  Missouri  to  Canada 
during  August  and  September. 

YARROW.     MILFOIL.     SANGUINARY.      NOSE= 

BLEED.     OLD  MAN'S  PEPPER. 

SOLDIER'S  WOUNDWORT 

Achillea  Millefolium.     Thistle  Family. 

The  Soldier's  Woundwort  was  dedicated  to  the 
mighty  Achilles,  who,  it  is  said,  made  use  of  this  plant 
at  the  siege  of  Troy  to  heal  the  wounds  of  his  soldiers. 
Mrs.  Dana  says  that  it  still  forms  part  of  the  ingredients 
of  an  ointment  used  by  the  Scotch  Highlanders.  It  was 
largely  used  in  some  localities  for  making  bridal  wreaths. 
The  leaves  and  flowers  have  been  used  for  almost  every 

310 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

ill  that  flesh  is  heir  to.  Yarrow  tea  is  a  mild  tonic,  and 
the  green  leaves  when  steeped  in  hot  water  are  used  in 
healing  bumps  and  bruises.  It  has  also  been  used  in 
nosebleed  and  the  green  leaves  are  still  used  as  a  styptic 
in  fresh  cuts  and  wounds.  In  Sweden,  Yarrow  is  used 
for  making  beer.  Quaint  old  Gerarde  mentions  the 
chewing  of  the  green  leaves  as  a  remedy  for  toothache. 
Timid  people  believed  that  when  this  plant  was  carried 
about  the  person,  it  would  drive  away  fear  and  on  this 
account  it  was  frequently  worn  in  times  of  danger. 
Susceptible  maidens  believe  the  plant  to  possess  some 
mystic  charm  that  can  reveal  their  future  lovers.  And 
so  on.  Yarrow  is  naturalized  from  Europe  and  is 
found  in  flower  everywhere  in  fields,  along  roadsides, 
and  river  banks  from  June  to  November.  The  erect, 
round,  grooved,  leafy  stalk  which  is  nearly  smooth  is 
single  or  forked  near  the  top,  and  grows  one  or  two  feet 
in  height  from  perennial,  horizontal  rootstocks.  The 
long,  narrow  leaves  are  deeply  cut  into  slender,  balanced 
parts,  each  of  which  is  again  cut  into  very  fine  fringe. 
They  are  curled  and  feathery,  and  clasp  the  stalk  at 
frequent  intervals.  The  strong  midrib  is  covered  with 
whitish  hairs  on  the  under  side.  From  four  to  six 
small,  oblong,  three-nicked,  usually  white  ray  florets 
surround  the  tiny  head  of  perfect  yellowish  or  brownish 
disc  florets,  and  form  the  flower  head,  which  sits  in  a 
little  light  green  cup.  These  heads  are  borne  in  many 
small,  compact  groups  which  are  gathered  into  one  or 
more  large,  flat-topped,  stiff -branched  terminal  clusters. 
Both  the  leaves  and  the  flowers  are  pleasantly  scented 

311 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD   FLOWERS 

with  an  aromatic  odour.     Yarrow  is  found  from  coast 
to  coast  and  is  one  of  our  commonest  wild  flowers. 

MAY-WEED.     FETID  CAMOMILE.      DOQ=FENNEL 

Anthemis  Cotula.   Thistle  Family. 

The  pretty  flowers  of  the  May-weed  bear  a  strong 
resemblance  to  the  Daisy  and  are  very  often  mistaken 
for  it.  They  are  much  smaller,  however,  and  the  strong 
unpleasant  odour  of  the  May-weed's  foliage  immedi- 
ately betrays  it.  Camomile  tea,  brewed  from  its  leaves, 
was  frequently  administered  for  several  bodily  ailments 
in  olden  times.  In  California  it  is  dried,  powdered,  and 
used  for  relieving  colic.  The  fresh  leaves  are  bruised 
and  applied  externally  for  producing  blisters.  The 
much-branched,  smooth,  annual  stalk  grows  one  or 
two  feet  in  height  and  is  very  leafy  and  slender.  The 
alternating  leaf  is  so  finely  cut  and  divided  that  it  is 
little  short  of  a  fringe,  or  as  if  it  were  simply  the  ribs 
and  veinings  of  a  leaf  rather  than  a  complete  forma- 
tion. It  is  somewhat  coarse  but  has  the  appearance  of 
delicacy.  The  flower  is  Daisy-like.  The  yellow  disc 
florets  are  closely  packed  in  a  central,  button-like  head 
which  is  surrounded  with  a  flaring  circle  of  from  ten 
to  eighteen  oblong,  white,  grooved,  and  notched  ray 
flowers.  The  latter  close  abruptly  downward  against 
the  stalk  at  night.  The  numerous  flower  heads  are 
an  inch  broad.  As  the  disc  flowers  mature,  the  yellow 
centre  becomes  cone-shaped  and  chaffy.  The  flowers, 
which  are  set  in  little  green  cups,  terminate  the  branches. 
It  is  common  from  June  to  November  along  roadsides, 

312 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

about  buildings,  and  in  waste  places  generally,  through- 
out our  area  and  Canada.  It  is  also  found  in  Europe, 
Asia,  Africa,  and  Australasia. 

DAISY.     OX=EYE   DAISY.     WHITE=WEED 

Chrysanthemum  Leucanthemum.     Thistle  Family. 

The  fields,  meadows,  and  roadsides  of  our  more 
northern  and  eastern  states  and  Canada  are  brightened 
from  May  to  November  with  the  beautiful,  wheel-like, 
golden  and  white  flowers  of  the  Daisy.  In  June,  when 
their  flowering  season  is  at  its  height,  many  of  our 
fields  are  completely  snowed  over  with  their  starry  blos- 
soms. During  the  annual  graduation  exercises  at 
Vassar  College,  the  famous  Daisy-chain,  an  immense 
rope  made  from  thousands  of  Daisies,  is  carried  on 
dainty  pillows  which  rest  upon  the  shoulders  of  our 
fairest  maidens,  and  their  combined  beauty  inspires  the 
beholder  with  an  admiration  for  this  flower  that  never 
wanes.  Even  country  schools  have  their  class  mottoes 
or  more  frequently  the  word  "  welcome  "  reproduced 
in  Daisies  and  strung  across  the  blackboards  on 
closing  day.  On  Memorial  Day,  school  children  make 
wreaths  of  Daisies  and  decorate  the  graves  of  soldiers. 
Every  lassie  has  "told  her  fortune"  by  plucking  away 
the  white  "petals"  one  by  one,  to  determine  the  pur- 
suit of  her  future  husband,  while  chanting: 

"  Rich  man,  Poor  man,  Beggar  man.  Thief. 
Doc-tor,  Law-yer,  Mer-chant,  Chief," 

or  to  tell  whether  her  lover  "loves  me,  or  loves  me  not." 
Various  other  pastimes  are  indulged  in  by  separating 


WHITE  AND  GREENISH  WILD    FLOWERS 

the  tiny  yellow  disc  florets  and  throwing  them  over  the 
shoulder  from  the  back  of  the  hand,  and  deciding  by 
those  remaining,  any  one  of  a  dozen  fancies.  The 
Daisy  is  the  state  flower  of  Tennessee.  In  France,  the 
Orleanists  wear  white  Daisies.  The  usually  simple 
perennial  stem  rises  from  one  to  three  feet  and  is  often 
tufted  and  nearly  erect.  It  is  sparingly  leaved  with 
partly  clasping,  generally  lance-shaped  leaves  which 
are  variously  cut  and  notched  with  larger,  spreading 
teeth  at  the  base.  The  basal  leaves  have  long,  slen- 
der stems  and  are  oblong,  broader  toward  the  round- 
ing tip,  and  coarsely  cut  and  notched.  They  are  firm- 
textured,  dark  green,  and  strongly  ribbed.  The  slightly 
hollowed,  yellow  centre  is  composed  of  many  densely 
packed,  tubular  florets  and  is  surrounded  with  from 
twenty  to  thirty  beautiful,  long,  white,  spreading  ray- 
flowers.  Their  surface  is  slightly  grooved  and  they 
are  finely  toothed  at  the  tip.  They  are  secured  in  a 
wide,  flat,  green  support  set  singly  on  the  tips  of  the 
stems.  The  Daisy  is  not  so  common  south  and  west. 
It  is  naturalized  from  Europe. 

RATTLESNAKE=ROOT.    WHITE  LETTUCE.     LION'S 
FOOT.    WHITE  CANKERWEED 

Prendnthes  alba.     Chicory  Family. 

The  smooth,  large,  round,  leafy,  and  commonly 
purple-stained  stalk  of  the  graceful  White  Lettuce  grows 
from  two  to  five  feet  high  along  woodland  borders  and 
thickets,  during  August  and  September,  from  Georgia 
and    Kentucky  to  Canada.      The   alternating  leaves 

3H 


WILD  FLOWERS  white  and  greenish 

vary  greatly  in  size  and  shape.  The  long-stemmed 
lower  ones  are  large  and  broad,  and  are  deeply  cut  and 
slashed.  As  they  ascend  the  stalk,  they  graduate 
through  several  forms  into  small,  lance-shaped  leaves 
at  the  top,  with  entire  margins.  The  numerous, 
fragrant,  nodding,  bell-shaped  flower  heads  are  greenish 
or  yellowish  white  and  often  tinged  with  lilac.  They 
are  borne  in  loose,  open,  narrow,  terminal  clusters 
on  slender  stems  that  usually  spring  from  the  axils  of 
the  leaves.  They  are  formed  of  from  eight  to  fifteen 
drooping  ray  flowers,  surrounded  with  eight  principal, 
coloured  bracts  with  several  minute  outer  ones  at  their 
base.  The  cream-coloured  stamens  protrude  with  two 
spiral  tips  beyond  the  prettily  curved  corolla.  The 
flowers  are  succeeded  by  a  tuft  of  silky,  cinnamon 
brown  fluff.  In  certain  parts  of  Virginia  and  North 
Carolina  where  this  perennial  herb  grows,  much  faith 
is  attached  to  it  as  a  remedy  for  rattlesnake  bites. 
The  milky  juice  is  taken  freely  internally,  and  the 
leaves  are  steeped  in  water  which  is  locally  applied  and 
frequently  changed.  It  is  also  used  for  summer 
complaint. 


315 


Section  V 
BLUE   AND   PURPLE  FLOWERS 


317 


VIRGINIA  DAY=FLOWER 

Commellna  virginica.     Spiderwort  Family. 

THE  attractive  little  petals  of  the  Day-flower  un- 
fold but  once  and  endure  only  for  a  few 
hours.  That  is  reason  enough  for  its  common  name, 
but  there  is  quite  another  story  woven  about  its  generic 
title.  It  seems  that  Linnaeus  knew  of  three  brothers, 
Dutchmen,  named  Commelin,  who  were  botanists. 
Two  of  the  brothers  succeeded  in  publishing  the  re- 
sults of  their  labours,  but  the  third  brother  was  a 
worthless  sort  of  a  chap,  and  did  not  pan  out  so  well. 
The  Day-flower,  having  two  large,  beautifully  devel- 
oped petals,  and  one  small,  insignificant,  colourless 
one,  suggested  the  application  of  the  Hollanders'  name, 
to  whom  it  was  dedicated  by  the  great  naturalist. 
The  flower  is  a  singular  one.  The  two  conspicuous 
petals  are  of  an  exceedingly  fine  texture  and  their 
colour  is  of  the  choicest  shade  of  blue  —  an  impres- 
sive blue,  that  one  will  always  remember  as  being 
distinctly  apart  from  the  general  run  of  floral  blues. 
They  do  not  dry  and  wither  up,  as  do  most  petals, 
but  deliberately  shrink  into  a  most  hopeless,  miser- 
able, sticky  pulp.  The  blossom  has  two  large,  showy, 
rounded  blue  petals  that  are  erect  and  flaring,  earlike, 
from  between  three  unequal  sepals.  A  third  petal, 
colourless  and  inconspicuous,  forms  a  very  small 
tongue  or  lip.     Its  three  perfect   stamens    are    tipped 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD   FLOWERS 

with  five-parted  petal-like  yellow  anthers  having  a 
cream-coloured  centre,  and  three  others  are  larger 
and  recurved,  without  the  elaborate  tips.  The 
smooth,  juicy,  and  much-branched  stem  is  rather  weak. 
It  is  very  slightly  zigzagged,  and  the  juice  is  thick  like 
mucilage.  It  often  takes  root  at  the  joints.  The  long, 
lance-shaped  leaves  are  contracted  at  the  base  into 
sheathing  stems.  They  alternate  on  the  stalk.  The 
floral  one  is  heart-shaped,  clasping  and  folded  to- 
gether or  hooded  to  guard  the  short  flower  stems. 
The  low-growing  Day-flower  is  common  throughout  its 
range,  in  moist,  shaded  soils,  particularly  about  old 
farm  buildings,  neglected  gardens,  or  roadside  fences. 
It  is  found  from  New  York  to  Illinois  and  Michigan, 
south  to  Florida,  Nebraska  and  Texas,  from  June 
to  September.  It  extends  also  throughout  Central 
America  to  Paraguay. 

PICKEREL=WEED 

Pontederta  cordata.     Pickerel-weed  Family. 

The  ragged,  bright  blue  floral  spikes  of  the  Pickerel- 
weed  blossom  from  June  to  October,  in  shallow  water 
along  the  borders  of  ponds  and  streams  where,  so  the 
disciples  of  Izaak  Walton  declare,  the  Pickerel  lays  its 
eggs.  The  rather  stout  stalk  is  smooth,  round  and 
green,  and  grows  from  one  to  four  feet  in  height.  The 
large,  soHtary,  smooth,  arrow  or  heart-shaped,  dark 
green  leaf  is  thick,  tough  and  leathery.  The  margin 
is  entire;  the  veins  are  numerous  and  paralleled,  and 
the  thick,  round  stem  sheathes  the  stalk,  which  rises 

320 


WHITE  WOOD  ASTER.     Aster  divaricatus 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

from  a  horizontal  rootstock.  The  two-lipped,  slightly 
curved,  tubular  flower  is  unpleasantly  scented,  and 
fades  rapidly  after  it  opens.  The  three-lobed,  upper 
lip  is  broad  and  erect,  and  the  longest  or  middle  lobe 
has  two  yellow  spots  at  its  base.  The  lower  lip  has 
three  spreading  divisions.  The  six  stamens  and  pistil 
are  bright  blue.  They  are  densely  crowded  in  a  blunt 
terminal  spike,  and  blossom  spirally.  The  flower 
stem  is  sheathed,  about  midway,  with  a  small,  green 
leaf.  This  species  is  often  found  associated  with  the 
Arrowhead,  and  ranges  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Minnesota, 
and  south  to  the  Gulf  States. 

PURPLE  TRILLIUM.   BIRTHROOT.   ILL= 
SCENTED  WAKE=ROBIN 

Trillium  erectum.     Lily  Family. 

The  Trilliums  are  easily  distinguished  by  the  arrange- 
ment of  their  three  drooping,  toothless  leaves  in  a 
whorl,  at  the  top  of  a  smooth,  stout,  and  usually  purple- 
stained  stalk.  The  blossom  has  three  flaring,  pointed 
green  sepals,  with  an  equal  number  of  petals  which 
alternate  with  them;  also  six  stamens  and  a  three 
parted  pistil.  The  root  is  deep-seated  and  tuberous. 
This  species  is  very  common  throughout  the  Eastern 
States,  and  the  rather  large,  dark  purple  or  maroon 
flowers  have  a  disagreeable,  musty,  fetid  odour.  It 
grows  from  eight  to  sixteen  inches  high,  and  the  much 
veined,  loose-textured  leaves  are  very  broad,  often 
broader  than  long.  The  solitary  flower  is  borne  on  a 
short,   curved,   erect   or   drooping   stem.     The  lance- 

321 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD   FLOWERS 

shaped  petals  are  a  little  longer  than  the  sepals,  and 
spread  open  nearly  flat.  The  stamens  have  very  con- 
spicuous whitish  anthers,  and  a  prominent,  purpHsh 
pistil.  Singularly  enough,  the  rank  odour  emitted  by 
the  flowers  attracts  the  green  fly,  so  commonly  found 
wherever  tainted  or  putrid  meat  and  fish  are  exposed. 
The  purplish  oval  fruit  is  often  one  inch  long.  The 
flowers  vary,  and  are  frequently  pinkish,  greenish  or 
even  white.  Strange,  too,  that  the  dainty,  chaste,  and 
fragrant  Lily  of  the  Valley  and  this  coarse-scented  plant 
should  belong  to  the  same  family.  The  astringent  root 
of  this  species  was  highly  regarded  as  a  medicine  by 
the  Indians  and  the  early  settlers.  It  is  still  known  as 
Bethwort,  and  is  used  as  a  tonic,  and  as  a  remedy  for 
coughs  and  other  throat  afflictions.  The  plant  blos- 
soms from  April  to  June  in  damp,  rich,  shady  woods 
from  North  Carolina,  Tennessee  and  Missouri,  north- 
ward  into  Canada.     Also  in  Japan. 

LARGER  BLUE  FLAG.    BLUE  IRIS.    FLEUR=DE=LIS 

Iris  versicolor.     Iris  Family. 

The  Iris,  famous  in  the  history  of  France,  is  named 
after  the  Greek  god  of  the  rainbow,  which  its  various 
colours  aptly  suggest.  It  was  considered  peculiarly 
sacred  in  olden  days,  and  seems  to  enjoy  a  somewhat 
classical  dignity  even  to-day.  Ruskin  says  that  it  is 
"the  flower  of  chivalry"  and  has  a  "sword  for  its  leaf, 
and  a  lily  for  its  heart,"  but  Thoreau,  with  less  gracious- 
ness  considered  it  "too  showy  and  gaudy,  Hke  some 
women's  bonnets!"    The  Indians,  however,  viewed  it 

322 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

from  a  more  serious  and  practical  side,  and  long  ago 
used  the  root  as  a  remedy  for  stomach  troubles.  Now 
the  flowers  furnish  a  fine  blue  colouring,  which  is  used 
by  chemists  as  a  test  for  acids  and  alkalies.  This 
highly  ornamental  species  is  found  in  low  places,  parti- 
cularly in  wet  meadows  and  swamps,  from  May  to  July, 
and  ranges  from  Newfoundland  and  Manitoba,  south 
to  Florida  and  Kansas.  The  long,  narrow,  pointed, 
sword-shaped  Hght  green  leaves  rise  from  a  thick, 
fleshy,  horizontal  rootstock,  which  is  covered  with 
numerous  fibrous  rootlets.  The  leafy  flower  stalk 
grows  two  or  three  feet  tall,  and  often  branches  for  the 
blossoms.  The  large,  handsome,  plumy  flowers  are 
violet-blue,  variegated  with  white,  green  and  yellow. 
They  are  composed  of  nine  petal-hke  divisions,  which 
are  divided  into  three  distinct  sets  of  three  parts  each. 
The  three  large  lower  parts  are  broadest  toward  the 
rounded  tip,  and  are  prettily  spread  and  curved.  They 
are  violet  coloured,  with  white  and  yellow  markings, 
and  purple  veinings.  The  next  three  parts  taper  to  a 
narrow  base,  and  are  much  smaller,  less  spreading  and 
nearly  erect.  They  are  violet  coloured,  with  delicate 
purple  veinings.  The  third  set  of  parts  represent  the 
curious  pistil,  which  is  divided  into  three  narrow  arch- 
ing sections,  each  curving  outward  and  directly  over- 
lying the  first  three  large  parts  beneath.  These  divi- 
sions are  notched  at  the  tips  and  are  violet  coloured  — 
darker  at  the  tips  and  purpHsh  on  the  arch.  Each  of 
the  latter  parts  hides  a  large,  slender  yellowish  stamen. 
The  magnificent  flower  is  mounted  on  a  three-angled, 

323 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD    FLOWERS 

green  seed  case  which  terminates  the  stem.  Usually- 
several  buds  are  guarded  with  a  pair  of  short,  sheathing 
leaflets,  and  they  blossom  one  at  a  time.  About 
twenty  species  of  Iris  are  found  distributed  through- 
out North  America  and  the  name  Fleur-de-lis  is 
generally  applied  to  them  all. 

POINTED   BLUE=EVED  GRASS 

Sisyrtnchium  angustifoltum.     Iris  Family. 

The  pretty  little  blue,  starry  flowers  of  this  famiKar 
species  peep  up  here  and  there  through  the  grass  of  our 
moist  fields  and  meadows  from  May  to  August,  like  so 
many  golden-centred  floral  scarf  pins.  The  blossoms 
expand  only  once,  and  even  then  require  the  bright 
morning  sunshine  to  coax  them  fully  open,  so  that  their 
petals  curve  gracefully  backward  and  expose  their 
bright  yellow  eyes.  The  slender,  rigid,  two-edged, 
light  green  stalk  grows  from  three  to  fourteen  inches  in 
height.  It  is  usually  winged  and  rarely  forked  at  the 
top.  The  long,  slender,  sharp  pointed  grass-like 
leaves  are  mostly  gathered  in  a  sheath  at  the  base. 
From  one  to  three,  six-parted,  violet-blue,  yellow-eyed 
flowers  blossom  one  at  a  time,  on  tiny  stems,  which 
spring  from  a  pair  of  sheathing  leaflets  at  the  top 
of  the  stalk.  Each  of  the  blunt  oblong  flower  parts 
is  tipped  with  a  short,  sharp,  bristly  point.  They 
have  three  stamens  and  a  pistil.  This  quickly  perish- 
ing and  very  dainty  little  beauty  is  all  the  more 
lovely  when  we  realize  that  it  belongs  to  the  Iris 
family  and  is  related  to   the   showy   Blue  Flag.      It 

324 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

is   found   from   Newfoundland  to   British   Columbia, 
Virginia,  Kansas  and  Colorado. 

SMALLER   PURPLE  FRINGED   ORCHIS 

Habenaria  psycodes.    Orchid  Family. 

This  very  pretty  and  rather  slender-stemmed  plant 
is  generally  smaller  than  the  Large  Purple  Fringed 
Orchis  and  grows  from  one  to  three  feet  high,  in  wet 
woods,  swamps  and  meadows,  where  it  unfolds  its 
fragrant,  shorter-fringed  lilac  blossoms,  during  July 
and  August.  The  smooth,  angular,  purple-stained 
stalk  bears  a  few  thin,  tough  and  pointed-oval  or 
lance-shaped  leaves  which  are  clasping  and  alter- 
nating. The  flowers  and  their  arrangement  are  quite 
similar  to  the  following  species.  The  petals  are  toothed, 
however,  and  the  three-parted,  fan-shaped  divisions 
of  the  lip  are  not  so  deeply  fringed,  while  the  slender 
spur  is  more  curved.  Altogether  this  Orchid  resembles 
its  beautiful  larger  and  earlier-blossoming  sister  so 
closely  that  it  is  often  confused  with  it.  Happily,  the 
Smaller  Purple  Fringed  species  is  very  common  and 
more  easily  found.  It  ranges  from  Newfoundland  to 
Minnesota,  and  south  to  North  Carolina  and  Indiana. 

LARGE   PURPLE   FRINGED  ORCHIS 

Hahenaria  fimbrthta.    Orchid  Family. 

This  magnificent  Orchid  grows  from  one  to  five  feet 
high,  in  rich,  wet  woods  and  meadows,  from  June  to 
August.  ■  It  is  the  largest  and  handsomest  of  its  genus, 
and  is  a  prize  that  is  well  worth  the  wet  feet  and  tem- 

325 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD   FLOWERS 

per-testing  search,  usually  required  to  behold  this  one 
of  the  most  beautiful  of  all  our  American  wild  flowers. 
The  tall,  leafy  stalk  is  often  deeply  grooved  and  twisted, 
and  grows  from  a  fleshy  root.  The  long-pointed, 
lance-shaped  leaves  are  smooth,  shining  and  strongly 
ribbed.  They  suddenly  become  very  much  smaller 
and  narrower  as  they  mount  the  stalk.  The  exquisite 
lilac  or  purplish  flowers  are  laden  with  a  heavy  fra- 
grance, and  are  loosely  clustered  in  a  large,  thick, 
terminal,  feathery  spike,  which  is  very,  very  showy. 
The  upper  petals  and  sepals  are  erect,  flaring  and  con- 
necting. The  petals  are  oblong  and  more  or  less 
toothed.  The  widely  spreading  and  highly  coloured  lip 
is  cleft  into  three  broad,  fan-shaped  divisions,  each  of 
which  is  finely  fringed  to  about  the  middle.  The  long, 
slender  spur  is  thread-like  and  curving.  This  tallest 
and  grandest  of  the  Orchids  ranges  from  New  Bruns- 
wick, Ontario  and  Michigan,  south  to  North  Carolina. 

SAND  SPURRY.  PURPLE  SANDWORT 

Spergularta  rubra.    Pink  Family. 

A  little  bit  of  a  plant,  growing  from  two  to  six  inches 
high,  either  single  or  often  forming  dense  little  mats  in 
waste  places  and  along  roadsides  where  the  soil  is  dry 
and  sandy,  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Virginia,  and  Ohio. 
It  has  also  been  introduced  into  California  and  Oregon. 
It  is  a  native  of  Europe  and  Asia.  The  rather  fleshy, 
flat  leaves  are  very  small  and  narrow.  They  are 
arranged  in  pairs,  and  are  sheathed  at  the  joint.  The 
five  concave  petals  of  the  tiny  flower  are  bright  pink  in 

326 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

colour,  and  several  yellow-tipped  stamens  are  set  effec- 
tively within  the  corolla.  The  tips  of  the  five-parted 
green  calyx  just  show  at  the  edge  of  the  blossom.  One 
or  two  flowers  open  at  a  time  throughout  the  summer. 
The  Salt  Marsh  Sand  Spurry  or  Seaside  Sandwort, 
S.  marina,  is  a  similar  species,  having  numerous,  lighter 
coloured  flowers.  The  stalk  is  much  branched,  and 
grows  from  four  to  eight  inches  high.  The  leaves  are 
very  fleshy  and  the  roots  are  fibrous.  It  is  found  in 
salt  marshes  along  both  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific  coasts, 
and  in  saline  regions  of  the  interior,  during  the  summer. 

HEPATICA.     LIVERLEAF.      KIDNEY^LEAF. 
NOBLE  LIVERWORT 

Hepdtica  triloba.    Crowfoot  Family. 

The  well-developed  flower  beds  of  the  Liverworts  can 
hardly  await  the  final  thaw  and  the  first  warm  rain  to 
start  them  as  pace-makers  in  Nature's  annual  spring 
race  for  first  honours.  They  are  probably  the  earliest 
of  our  spring  flowers,  earlier  even  than  the  Bloodroot, 
and  if  we  except  the  cold,  stiff  and  unattractive  Skunk 
Cabbage,  the  beautiful  Hepaticas  invariably  lead  them 
all.  The  buds  must  necessarily  have  many  favour- 
able conditions  to  cause  their  early  appearance.  The 
leaves  of  the  passing  year  do  not  wither  and  dry  up 
like  those  of  most  wild  flowers.  Instead,  they  sur- 
vive the  winter,  and  who  will  deny  the  reasoning 
that  they  contribute  no  small  part  toward  the  early 
appearance  of  the  flowers.  The  evergreen  leaves  offer 
shelter  from  the  frosts    and  assist  in  accumulating 

327 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD   FLOWERS 

a  blanket  of  fallen  leaves  and  similar  litter,  until  they 
are  covered  by  the  snow  and  made  triply  snug  and 
secure  for  the  winter.  Again  in  the  spring  these 
leaves  are  first  to  catch  the  warm  rays  of  the  sun,  and 
the  ground  about  them  is  first  to  become  freed  from 
the  frost  crystals  and  to  arouse  their  roots  to  activity. 
It  is  interesting  at  this  point  to  compare  the  appear- 
ance of  the  flowering  buds  of  the  Hepaticas  with  those 
of  the  Bloodroot.  The  flowers  of  the  former  rise  direct 
from  their  fibrous  roots,  and  the  bud  and  stem  are 
thickly  covered  with  very  fine  fuzzy  hairs,  which  have 
been  likened  unto  a  fur  overcoat,  intended  to  protect 
them  from  the  cold,  while  the  stem  and  bud  of  the  latter, 
flowering  somewhat  later,  are  perfectly  smooth  and 
appear  carefully  folded  in  a  leafy  cape,  which  is  forced 
up  from  a  thick,  juicy  rootstock,  purposely  to  pro- 
tect it  from  the  chilly  spring  air. 

The  blossom  of  the  Hepatica  has  no  petals.  Its 
six  to  twelve  delicate,  coloured,  oblong  sepals  may 
easily  be  mistaken  for  them  as  they  are  closely  supported 
by  three  small,  oval,  hairy,  reddish-green  leaflets  which, 
at  the  same  time,  might  be  mistaken  for  the  calyx. 
Solitary  flowers  are  borne  on  slender,  hairy  stems, 
some  three  to  five  inches  in  height.  They  are  less  than 
an  inch  broad,  and  exhale  a  delicate  fragrance,  although 
the  odour  is  by  no  means  constant.  The  blossom 
closes  at  night.  The  numerous  greenish  pistils  and 
yellowish,  hair  -  like  anther  -  bearing  stamens,  are 
prettily  clustered  in  the  centre.  The  general  colour 
of  the  blossoms  varies  from  blue,  lavender  and  pink,  to 

328 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

white,  and  they  are  found  blossoming  in  scattered 
groups  during  March,  April  and  May.  The  old 
leaves  are  broader  than  long,  heart-shaped  with  three 
distinct  lobes,  and  spring  direct  from  the  root  on  slen 
der,  hairy  stems.  The  tough,  rounded,  purple-stained 
stems  are  grooved  on  one  side.  The  old  leaves  spread 
upon  the  ground,  and  the  new  ones  which  immediately 
follow  the  buds  form  pretty,  thick,  rounded  tufts. 
They  are  thick  and  leathery,  and  the  older  ones  are 
usually  strongly  tinged  with  purple.  In  the  fall,  the 
following  season's  sprout  may  be  found  at  the  base 
of  the  tuft,  in  a  fuzzy  casing.  During  my  winter 
rambles  I  often  find  their  evergreen  tufts  associated 
with  those  of  the  beautiful  Christmas  Ferns.  The 
Hepaticas  grow  in  scattered  patches  in  rich,  loose  soil, 
along  the  rocky  hillsides  of  open  woodland,  where  it 
is  partly  shaded.  The  leaves  were  formerly  used  as 
a  remedy  for  torpid  livers,  and  this  custom  is  still 
said  to  be  practised  among  the  country  people  in 
Tennessee.  Hepatica  is  from  the  Greek,  meaning 
liver-like,  and  alludes  to  the  shape  of  the  leaves. 
This  species  grows  perennially  from  Nova  Scotia  to 
Florida,  and  west  to  Manitoba,  Iowa  and  Missouri. 
Its  flowering  period  extends  from  December  to  May, 
according  to  its  location. 

PURPLE  VIRGIN'S   BOWER.      PURPLE  CLEMATIS 

Clematis  verticiUaris.     Crowfoot  Family. 

The  Purple  Clematis  is  much  less  common  than  the 
white-flowered    Virginia   Virgin's   Bower,    and    grows 

329 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD   FLOWERS 

sparingly  in  rocky  places  in  the  more  hilly  country, 
from  Hudson  Bay  to  Manitoba,  and  southward  to 
Virginia  and  Minnesota,  during  May  and  June.  The 
large,  prominent,  solitary  flowers  are  light  purple  or 
purplish  blue  in  colour,  and  measure  from  two  to  four 
inches  broad  when  expanded.  The  four  long,  taper- 
ing-oval, strongly  veined,  petal-like  sepals  are  thin, 
translucent  and  pointed.  Both  sides  are  very  downy 
or  silky  along  the  margins  and  veins.  They  are 
borne  singly  on  long  stems  from  the  end  of  the  vine, 
and  from  the  axils  or  joints  of  the  leaf  stems.  The 
true  petals  are  very  small,  and  spatulate  or  spoon- 
shaped.  The  many  stamens  are  clustered  in  the 
centre,  and  are  greenish  white  in  colour.  The  ones 
forming  the  outer  row  are  broadened.  The  flower  is 
very  showy,  and  is  generally  cup-shaped,  with  the  ends 
of  the  sepals  curved  inward,  but  it  often  opens  flat. 
The  pistils  are  long,  and  ripen  with  long  brownish- 
gray  plumes.  The  leaf  is  similar  to  the  Virginia  Vir- 
gin's Bower,  but  rather  smaller,  and  has  three  leaflets 
with  either  irregularly  cut  margins,  or  toothless,  and 
slightly  heart-shaped  at  the  base.  The  texture  is 
thin,  and  shows  the  network  of  veins  plainly.  The 
surface  is  slightly  downy,  and  the  stem  is  tinged  with 
purple.  The  stiff,  dried  leaf  stems  of  the  previous 
season  are  often  found  still  attached  to  the  stalk  among 
the  new  foliage.  The  stalk  is  smooth,  woody,  and 
brittle.  It  is  a  trailing  plant,  or  semi-climbing  in 
habit.  If  you  are  fortunate  enough  to  find  this  mag- 
nificent flower  it  is  well  not  to  molest  it  nor  to  dis- 

33° 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

close  its  whereabouts,  but,  instead,  cherish  its  dis- 
covery with  secrecy  and  number  it  among  your  choicest 
and  rarest  wild  flowers  as  one  that  demands  your  pro- 
tection. 

The  Marsh  Clematis,  C.  crispa,  is  our  most  beau- 
tiful Southern  species,  and  bears  large,  fragrant,  soli- 
tary, nodding,  and  bell-shaped  flowers.  They  are 
bluish  purple,  and  from  three-quarters  to  an  inch  and 
a  half  long,  with  the  petal-like  sepals  of  thin  texture, 
and  widely  spreading  and  backward  curved  from  the 
opening  of  the  cup  which  they  form.  Their  broad 
margins  are  prettily  crimped  and  wav^.  The  long 
tails  of  the  seed  cases  are  silky  and  less  plumy  than 
the  foregoing  species.  The  leaves  are  compound,  and 
the  three  or  more  lance-shaped  leaflets  are  generally 
entire  or  occasionally  lobed  and  thin  textured. 
This  climbing  vine  grows  three  or  four  feet  in 
length,  and  is  found  in  marshes  from  southeastern 
Virginia  to  Florida  and  Texas,  through  May 
and  June. 

The  Leather  Flower,  C.  Virona,  is  found  from  May 
to  August,  climbing  over  bushes  in  rich  soil,  sometimes 
to  the  height  of  ten  feet,  from  southern  Pennsylvania  to 
Ohio  and  West  Virginia,  south  to  Georgia  and  Ten- 
nessee, and  also  westward  and  northward.  The 
solitary  purple  flowers  are  bell-shaped  and  nodding. 
They  have  no  petals,  but  the  four  petal-like  sepals 
measure  about  an  inch  long,  and  are  pointed  and 
usually  slightly  recurved  at  the  apex.  They  are  very 
thick    and    leathery.     The    flower    is    scentless.     The 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD   FLOWERS 

achenes  or  seed  cases  are  short,  stout  and  flat,  and 
have  long,  feathery,  pale  yellow  plumes  by  which  they 
are  carried  by  the  wind  to  find  a  favourable  spot  where 
they  may  germinate  and  grow  and  increase  their  kind. 
The  leaves  are  mostly  compound,  and  the  three  to 
seven  leaflets  are  oval  and  pointed,  and  their  margins 
are  either  entire  or  lobed.  This  plant  is  probably 
found  somewhat  farther  north  and  west.  There  are 
about  twenty  odd  species  of  Clematis  occurring  through 
North  America. 

ORPINE.     LIVE=FOR=EVER.     LIVE=LONG. 
AARON'S    ROD.     MIDSUMMER=MEN 

Sedum  purpureum.     Orpine  Family. 

This  plant  is  probably  better  known  to  children  as 
the  "Pudding-bag,"  than  by  any  other  name.  The 
thick,  fleshy  leaves  are  bruised  in  the  mouth  with  the 
tongue  until  the  skin  separates  bag-like,  and  then,  by 
blowing  in  the  open  end  they  are  inflated  into  so-called 
balloons  or  pillows.  Orpine  was  formerly  employed 
as  a  domestic  remedy  for  healing  wounds.  The  stout, 
branching,  very  leafy,  pale  green  stalk  is  smooth  and 
juicy,  and  grows  from  twelve  to  eighteen  inches  high. 
The  smooth,  broadly  oval,  alternating  leaf  has  a  coarsely 
toothed  margin,  and  is  thick  and  juicy.  They  are 
supported  by  a  stout  midrib,  and  clasp  the  stalk  with 
an  upward  tilt.  The  purplish  flower  is  small  and  has 
ten  stamens  and  five  sharply  pointed  and  spreading 
petals.  They  are  densely  clustered  in  round  terminal 
groups.     The  plant  is  reserved,  however,  in  its  flowering 

332 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

habits,  but  is  not  easily  discouraged  in  maintaining  its 
livelihood,  and  spreads  freely  by  its  joints.  It  is 
common  in  fields  and  along  woodsides  from  Quebec 
and  Ontario,  southern  Maryland,  and  Michigan,  from 
June  to  September. 

WILD   LUPINE.     OLD  MAID'S  BONNETS. 
WILD   PEA 

Lupinus  perennis.    Pea  Family. 

Lupinus  is  derived  from  lupus,  a  wolf,  and  was  ap- 
plied to  this  plant  because  the  roots,  which  are  deeply  and 
firmly  buried,  were  believed  to  rapidly  exhaust  the 
fertility  of  the  soil.  There  might  have  been  a  time  and 
place  wherein  its  means  of  subsistence  was  begrudged. 
But  it  is  certainly  welcomed  nowadays,  when  we  are 
privileged  to  enjoy  the  azure  reflections  of  its  attrac- 
tive, pea-like  flowers  along  railroad  banks  and  on  dry, 
sandy  hillsides  and  waste  fields,  where  it  gathers  to 
bloom  during  May  and  June.  The  round,  hairy, 
leafy,  perennial  stalk  is  erect  and  branching,  and 
grows  one  or  two  feet  in  height.  The  slender-stemmed, 
wheel-shaped  leaf  is  composed  of  from  seven  to  eleven 
long,  narrow  leaflets,  which  are  widest  toward  their 
acutely  pointed  apex.  They  radiate  from  the  stem 
and  are  thin  textured,  light  green  and  toothless.  At 
night  they  fold  together  like  an  umbrella.  The  numer- 
ous, sweetly  scented,  butterfly-shaped  flowers  form 
a  long,  loosely  clustered,  showy  terminal  spike  of  vivid 
blue.  They  blossom  in  great  numbers  at  about  the 
same  time,  and  produce  a  very  striking  effect.     Wild 

333 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD   FLOWERS 

Lupine  is  found  from  Maine  and  Ontario  to  Minne- 
sota, Florida  and  Louisiana. 

PURPLE   MEDIC.       ALFALFA.       LUCERNE. 
CHILIAN,    OR    BRAZILIAN    CLOVER. 

Medtcago  sativa.  Pea  Family. 
This  purple-flowered  Clover  is  extensively  raised 
in  the  Western  and  Southern  States  where  hundreds  of 
thousands  of  tons  are  annually  harvested  for  fodder. 
It  makes  the  best  grade  of  hay,  and  has  been  cultivated 
for  at  least  two  thousand  years.  The  smooth,  slender, 
upright  or  ascending  stalk  is  much  branched,  and  grows 
a  foot  or  more  high.  The  three-parted  leaves  are 
short  stemmed,  and  the  leaflets  much  resemble  those  of 
the  Stone  Clover  in  a  general  way.  They  are  a  little 
broader,  however,  and  the  blunt  apex  is  more  abrupt 
and  ragged  toothed.  The  middle  one  is  offset  from 
the  others  in  a  little  kinked  stem.  The  joints  are 
sheathed  after  the  manner  of  the  latter  species,  though 
shghtly  modified.  The  rather  pretty  flower  head  is 
composed  of  numerous  violet,  purple  or  bluish  florets, 
arranged  in  several  short,  dense  clusters  on  slender 
stems.  The  seed  pod  is  curiously  twisted  into  two  or 
three  spires.  Alfalfa  grows  wild  during  the  summer, 
in  fields  and  waste  places  most  everywhere  from  New 
England  and  Ontario,  westward  and   southward. 

TICKWEED.      TICK=TREFOIL 

Desmodtum  nudiflorum.    Pea  Family. 

Every  one  of  us  who  has    tramped    through    the 
fields  and  woods  during  the  fall  has  had   occasion  to 

334 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

share  Job's  patience,  while  we  picked,  scraped  and 
brushed  the  affectionate,  triangular  stickers  of  the 
Tick-trefoil  that  were  everlastingly  stuck  to  our  clothes. 
It  is  a  certain  and  easy  means  of  identification,  too. 
A  number  of  species  are  distributed  throughout  the 
country.  This  one  has  a  slender,  naked  stem  grow- 
ing direct  from  the  root  some  two  or  three  feet  high, 
and  bearing  sparsely  scattered,  small,  purplish, 
butterfly-shaped  flowers,  which  are  succeeded  by 
flat,  two  or  three  jointed,  deeply  lobed  pods.  They 
are  covered  with  minute  hooked  hairs  that  are  directly 
accountable  for  their  adhering  qualities.  The  stout, 
shorter  leaf  stalk  bears  a  terminal  cluster  of  long- 
stemmed  compound  leaves,  each  having  three  pointed, 
egg-shaped  leaflets  with  entire  margins.  They  are 
thin  textured,  slightly  hairy,  and  on  the  under  side 
their  colouring  is  lighter.  Tickweed  is  common  in  dry 
fields  and  woods,  from  Quebec  to  Minnesota,  south 
to  Florida  and  Louisiana,  during  July  and  August. 

TUFTED,  COW,   OR   BLUE   VETCH.     TINE- 
GRASS.     TARE 

Ftcia  Cracca.    Pea  Family. 

The  bluish  purple  flowers  of  this  weak,  angular- 
stemmed,  climbing  or  trailing  perennial  vine  are  pro- 
fusely massed  along  the  borders  of  thickets  and  in  dry 
soils  during  June,  July  and  August,  from  Newfound- 
land to  New  Jersey,  and  w^est  to  Kentucky,  Iowa,  and 
Minnesota.  The  compound  leaf  has  from  eighteen 
to  twenty-four   small,    narrow,   lance-shaped   leaflets, 

335 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD    FLOWERS 

alternated  along  opposite  sides  of  a  slender  stem  which 
terminates  in  a  tendril.  The  downy,  thin-textured 
leaflets  are  acutely  pointed  and  bristle-tipped.  The 
main  stalk  is  grooved,  and  grows  from  two  to  four  feet 
in  length.  The  small  flowers  resemble  those  of  a  bean, 
and  are  closely  crowded  along  one  side  of  a  long  curve- 
ing  spike  growing  from  the  angles  of  the  leaves.  They 
are  reflexed  on  the  stem  —  that  is,  they  are  abruptly 
bent  or  turned  downward  and  are  not  erect,  like,  for 
instance,  the  florets  of  a  freshly  opened  Clover. 

WILD,   OR   HOG   PEANUT 

Amphicarpa  monoica.    Pea  Family. 

This  ill-named,  slender,  sparingly  branched  climb- 
ing vine  grows  from  one  to  eight  feet  in  length.  It  is 
common  everywhere  in  moist  thickets  and  rich,  damp 
woodlands  during  August  and  September.  Three 
pointed,  egg-shaped  leaflets  compose  the  compound  leaf. 
They  are  smooth,  thin,  toothless  and  short  stemmed. 
The  dehcate,  light  green  alternating  leaves  are  slen- 
der stemmed.  The  butterfly-shaped  flowers  are  gath- 
ered in  small,  drooping,  short-stemmed  clusters,  at  the 
leaf  angles.  They  are  purplish  or  lilac,  and  precede  the 
numerous  small,  hairy  pods  containing  several  mot- 
tled brown  seeds.  Rudimentary  flowers  are  also  borne 
on  very  slender,  creeping  stems  at  the  base  or  root  of 
the  vine  and  ripen  their  fruit  beneath  the  surface  of 
the  ground  in  the  form  of  fleshy,  pear-shaped  pods. 
Pigs  are  notorious  rooters  after  these  subterranean 
Peanuts,  and  consequently  country  people  began  to 

336 


OX-EYE  DAISY.    Chrysanthemum  Leucanthemum 


^M 

■■■ 

^^^1 

^^M 

|^^H| 

?^^^^H 

^^^H 

I|ei|I^H^^ 

^j^^^^H^^H 

^M 

j^i^ 

l^^S 

m 

i^>^^9l  W^Ki*%.  •  Til 

■H 

i 

LARGE  PURPLE-FRINGED  ORCHIS.      Habenaria  fimbriata 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

know  this  graceful,  twining  perennial  as  the  Hog 
Peanut.  It  is  found  from  New  Brunswick  to  Florida, 
west  to  Lake  Superior,  Nebraska,  and  Louisiana. 

THE   VIOLETS 

Vtolaceae.     Violet  Family. 

Violets  are  probably  the  best  and  most  popularly 
known  of  all  the  wild  flowers.  The  Latin  name 
Viola,  is  derived  from  the  classic  Greek,  Ion.  Jupiter, 
we  are  told,  fell  in  love  with  lo,  the  daughter  of  the 
river  god,  Inachus,  and  in  order  to  conceal  her  from 
the  jealousy  of  Juno,  his  wife,  Jupiter  changed  lo  into 
a  heifer,  and  then  created  the  fragrant  Violet  that  she 
might  feed  upon  the  delicate  petals  during  her  trans- 
formation. So  runs  this  ancient  Greek  myth  regard- 
ing the  origin  of  the  Violet.  Be  this  as  it  may,  Jupiter 
must  have  considered  the  creation  of  the  Violet  with 
exceeding  affection  for  lo,  since  his  irony  is  revealed 
later  in  the  lines  of  Shakespeare,  who  regarded  the 
Violet  "sweeter  than  the  lids  of  Juno's  eyes."  The 
Violet  became  the  national  emblem  of  the  Greeks. 
They  wove  it  into  the  chaplets  with  which  they 
crowned  both  the  hving  and  the  dead,  as  occasion 
required.  The  flowers  were  used  extensively  for  deco- 
rating on  gay,  festive  and  holiday  celebrations,  and 
they  also  served  an  equal  purpose  in  times  of  grief 
and  sorrow  as  a  fitting  tribute  to  the  departed.  There 
was  a  superstition  among  the  Greeks  that  the  Violet 
possessed  a  charm  that  could  stay  the  ill-effects  of 
excessive   indulgence   in   wine.     Wreaths    of    Violets 

337 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD   FLOWERS 

were  cast  upon  the  cradles  of  children  and  the  beds  of 
young  bridal  couples  much  after  the  custom  with 
which  we  shower  the  latter  with  rice  and  old  shoes, 
as  a  token  of  good  luck.  The  former  ceremony  is  still 
practised  in  parts  of  Germany,  where  the  Violet  is  also 
believed  to  prevent  ague.  The  Violet  has  some  religi- 
ous significance  among  the  followers  of  Mohammed, 
who  considered  the  odour  of  the  Violet,  which  he 
referred  to  as  the  "Flower  of  Humility,"  superior 
to  all  others.  The  Romans  offered  Violets  of  solid 
gold  as  prizes  for  poetic  competitions.  In  England, 
broths,  salads,  and  puddings  were  at  one  time  flavoured 
with  Violets,  and  many  dishes  were  garnished  with  the 
flowers.  Napoleon  adopted  the  Violet  as  his  emblem, 
and  when  he  ascended  the  steps  of  the  Tuileries, 
upon  his  return  from  Elba,  he  was  greeted  with  showers 
of  Violets  from  every  direction,  and  beautiful  violet- 
gowned  ladies  and  children  welcomed  him  with  great 
masses  of  the  flowers  which  were  cast  before  him  that 
he  might  tread  upon  them.  In  Paris,  the  statues  com- 
memorating the  loss  of  Alsace  and  Lorraine,  and  the 
tomb  of  Victor  Hugo  in  the  Pantheon,  are  annually 
decorated  with  wreaths  of  Violets.  In  royal  and  in 
religious  ceremonies  violet  is  a  conspicuous  colour. 
It  is  the  college  colour  of  New  York  University.  Yale 
University  has  adopted  the  Violet  as  its  floral  emblem, 
and  it  is  also  the  state  flower  of  Rhode  Island.  Sev- 
eral fragrant  varieties  have  been  highly  cultivated,  and 
are  regularly  sold  by  florists  for  every  conceivable 
floral  purpose,  and  they  are  popularly  worn  as  a  cor- 

338 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

sage  and  buttonhole  nosegay.  The  odour  of  Violets 
is  one  of  the  most  popular  known,  and  it  is  extensively 
used  in  scenting  soaps,  perfumery,  and  other  toilet 
preparations.  Candies,  syrups,  and  cordials  are 
flavoured  with  it,  and  even  glace  or  sugared  Violets 
are  sold  at  the  confectioners.  Over  sixty  thousand 
acres  of  flowers  are  regularly  cultivated  about  the  town 
of  Grasse,  in  France,  purposely  for  the  manufacture  of 
perfumery.  Literally  it  is  the  "sweetest"  spot  in  the 
world,  and  tons  upon  tons  of  Violets  are  annually 
gathered  and  spread  upon  frames  of  greased  glass 
which  catch  and  retain  the  minute  particles  of  precious 
oil  contained  in  the  flowers  —  an  industry  involving 
hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars. 

BIRD'S=FOOT  VIOLET 

Ftola  pedata.    Violet  Family. 

There  is  no  mistaking  the  identity  of  the  Bird's- 
foot  Violet.  It  appears  later  than  the  Meadow  Violet, 
and  its  finely  cut,  dark  green,  thick-textured  foliage, 
and  large,  beardless-petalled  flowers  are  positive 
ear-marks  of  birthright.  The  leaf  is  deeply  cut  into 
from  five  to  eleven  long,  narrow  parts,  with  the  longer 
middle  ones  having  their  ends  notched  with  two  or 
three  rounded  lobes,  while  the  others  have  tapering 
points.  When  spread  flat,  the  matured  leaf  is  fan- 
shaped,  and  some  of  the  divisions  are  grouped  or 
separated  from  each  other  with  a  wider  opening  — 
a  characteristic  giving  significance  to  its  common  name. 
The  plant  grows  in  a  loose  tuft,  with  its  leaves  spread- 

339 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD   FLOWERS 

ing  widely  and  giving  it  a  slightly  scrawly  appearance. 
The  great,  handsome  flower  is  the  largest  of  our  Violets. 
It  varies  in  colour  from  red  violet  to  blue  violet.  Some 
varieties  have  the  upper  petals  coloured  dark  purple, 
and  the  lower  ones  of  a  lighter  shade.  Rarely  white 
flowers  are  found.  The  stamens  are  orange-tipped, 
and  set  off  the  regal  beauty  of  the  flower  with  their 
contrast.  The  lower  petal  is  slightly  grooved,  and 
has  a  prominent,  flat  spur.  The  upper  petals  are 
curved  backward,  adding  greatly  to  the  general  pleas- 
ing effect  of  the  flower.  This  Violet  frequently  blos- 
soms again  in  August.  It  does  not  produce  stolens. 
It  is  partial  to  dry  fields  and  hillsides,  from  Maine  and 
southern  Ontario  to  Minnesota,  Florida,  and  Missouri, 
during  April,  May  and  June. 

MEADOW   VIOLET.     COMMON   BLUE  VIOLET. 
HOODED  BLUE  VIOLET 

Ftola  cucuUata.     Violet  Family. 

This  is  the  most  common  and  best  known  of  our 
Violets,  and  is  found  everywhere  within  its  range, 
preferring  generally  low  grounds  in  woods,  meadows 
and  marshes  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Minnesota,  and 
southward  to  Georgia  and  Kansas  during  April,  May 
and  June.  It  readily  adapts  itself  to  all  conditions, 
and  varies  greatly  in  colour,  size  and  leaf  form,  accord- 
ing to  its  situation.  In  boggy  lands  it  produces  ridicu- 
lously long,  flowering  stems,  quite  necessary,  however, 
to  raise  its  blossoms  to  the  light,  above  the  long  grasses. 
In  wet,   swampy  woods,   forms  having  their  leaves 

340 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

twice  as  long  as  wide  and  nearly  lance-shaped  are 
found.  The  golden-centred  flowers  vary  widely  in 
size  and  colour,  graduating  in  the  latter  from  light 
purple  to  pale  violet,  and  even  striped  varieties  fre- 
quently occur.  While  they  are  found  commonly  in 
open,  sunny  places,  Violets  as  a  family  are  to  be  seen 
at  their  best  where  there  is  shade  and  moisture,  and  in 
the  vicinity  of  cool  streams  and  springs  they  are  most 
beautifully  developed.  The  lower  petal  is  spurred,  and, 
together  with  the  two  lateral  or  side  ones,  which  are 
prettily  bearded,  have  a  flash  of  white  at  their  base 
and  are  marked  with  dark  purple  lines.  The  stamens 
are  tipped  with  orange.  The  rootstock  is  short  and 
thick,  and  the  foliage  which  closely  surrounds  the  flowers 
is  full  bright  green  in  colour.  This  Violet  does  not 
produce  runners,  but  flowerless  buds  succeed  the  true 
flowers  and  mature  without  opening.  The  large, 
heart-shaped  leaf  is  prominently  ribbed,  and  has  a 
toothed  or  scalloped  edge.  The  surface  is  covered  with 
very  fine  hairs,  and  before  they  are  fully  matured,  the 
lobes  of  the  leaves  are  curled  upward.  The  flower 
stem  is  slender  and  smooth,  and  the  leaf  stem  is  grooved 
on  one  side,  and  both  rise  direct  from  the  root. 

EARLY   BLUE   VIOLET 

Fiola  palmata.     Violet  Family. 

Although  not  so  abundant  as  the  widely  distributed 
Meadow  Violet,  with  which  everybody  is  so  familiar, 
the  Early  Blue  Violet  is  very  common.  Its  flowers  are 
smaller,  and  the  plant  is  more  or  less  hairy,  and  alto- 

341 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD    FLOWERS 

gether  it  is  more  uniform  and  less  variable,  and  pre- 
fers drier  soil  than  the  former.  On  the  sides,  toward 
the  base,  its  peculiar  leaves  are  strikingly  notched  into 
numerous  irregular  lobes  that  flare,  heart-shaped  at 
the  stem.  The  centre  of  the  blade  is  usually  extended 
into  a  broadened  and  bluntly  pointed  lobe.  The 
bright  blue  flower  is  occasionally  paler  and  rarely 
white.  The  side  petals  are  bearded.  This  species 
does  not  extend  quite  so  far  north  as  the  Common  Blue 
Violet,  and  it  prefers  dry  woodland  soil.  It  blooms 
during  April  and  May,  from  Georgia  and  Arkansas 
northward  to  Minnesota,  Ontario  and  Maine. 

AMERICAN   DOG   VIOLET 

Fiola  conspersa.    Violet  Family. 

It  is  whispered  that  this  violet  was  formerly  held  in 
contempt  by  our  English  cousins  because  of  its  lack  of 
fragrance.  They  referred  to  it  as  the  Dog  Violet,  so 
that  it  might  be  distinguished  from  other  species 
meriting  more  popular  favour.  However  that  may 
have  been,  we  are  disposed  to  extend  much  charity 
toward  this  interesting  little  waif,  if  for  no  other  reason 
than  the  independence  and  freedom  that  it  manifests 
whenever  it  brightens  our  roadsides  and  woodlands, 
from  March  to  May.  With  us,  the  Dog  Violet  has 
become  a  popular  nickname  rather  than  one  of  mere 
caste.  The  leaves  and  flowers  are  small.  The  plant 
is  low  and  creeping,  and  blossoms  profusely.  The 
slender  flower  stems  spring  from  the  angles  of  the  leaf 
stems.     The  flowers  have  a  prominent  spur,  and  are 

342 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

light  purple  or  pale  violet  in  colour,  rarely  white. 
The  stamens  are  tipped  with  orange.  The  lateral 
petals  are  slightly  bearded,  and  the  lower  one  is 
marked  with  line  violet  lines.  The  smooth,  light 
green,  rounding,  heart-shaped  leaves  have  finely 
toothed  edges  and  grow  in  pairs.  The  base  of  the 
stems  is  sheathed  with  a  small,  pointed  and  toothed 
leaf-like  stipule.  The  early  leaf  stems  later  develop 
creeping  branches,  and  increase  from  two  to  six 
inches  in  length.  In  the  fall  this  Violet  bears  flower- 
less  buds  on  very  short  stems.  It  is  fairly  common 
in  moist,  shady  situations,  from  Labrador  to  Min- 
nesota, and  south  to  North  Carolina  and  Kentucky. 

SEA  LAVENDER.     MARSH  ROSEMARY.    CANKER- 
ROOT.     SEA  THRIFT.      INK=ROOT. 

Limontum  caroltntanum.    Leadwort  Family. 

The  misty,  spray-like  bloom  of  the  Sea  Lavender 
fits  in  nicely  with  the  azure  stars  of  the  Chicory  in  an 
endeavour  to  harmonize  the  colour  scheme  of  the 
sea  and  sky  with  that  of  the  sandy  shores.  It  grows 
abundantly  in  the  salt  meadows  along  the  Atlantic 
seaboard  from  Labrador  to  Florida  and  to  Texas. 
The  slender,  grooved,  leafless  stalk  is  much  branched 
at  the  top,  and  grows  one  or  two  feet  high  from  a 
thick,  smooth,  fleshy,  perennial  rootstock.  The  thick, 
narrow,  oblong  leaf  is  bluntly  pointed,  and  tapers  into 
a  long,  slender,  margined  stem,  which  rises  from  the 
root.  The  margin  is  slightly  wavy,  and  the  midrib  is 
strong.     The  minute,  solitary,  pale  purple  flowers  are 

343 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD    FLOWERS 

set  erect  and  loosely  along  the  upper  side  of  the 
branches.  The  tubular  calyx  is  five-toothed  and 
finely  ribbed.  The  corolla  has  five  tiny  petals.  They 
blossom  from  July  to  October.  The  bitter  root  fur- 
nishes a  powerful  astringent  which  has  been  exten- 
sively employed,  especially  in  New  England,  as  a 
local  application  for  relieving  canker  sores.  The 
roots  of  a  larger  species  is  used  in  Spain  and  Russia  for 
tanning  hides.  The  Marsh  Rosemary  is  an  open, 
frail-looking  plant,  and  as  the  fragrant  flowers  do  not 
lose  their  colour,  dried  bunches  are  used  for  decorat- 
ing vases  and  mantels,  and  are  said  to  keep  away 
moths.  Simonium  is  an  ancient  name  of  the  wild 
beet. 

FRINGED  GENTIAN 

Gentiana  crimta.    Gentian  Family. 

This  lovely  Gentian  has  been  considered  one  of  the 
choicest  of  American  wild  flowers.  There  is  never 
any  certainty  of  finding  it  from  year  to  year,  because 
it  does  not  establish  itself  permanently  in  any  par- 
ticular spot  or  locality.  It  has  a  general  liking  for  low, 
moist  woods  and  meadows,  and  is  a  late  bloomer, 
coming  into  flower  during  September  and  October. 
It  is  rather  rare  in  the  vicinity  of  dense  communities, 
and  is  likely  to  become  even  more  so  than  the  Trailing 
Arbutus,  as  it  is  extremely  difficult  to  cultivate.  This 
genera  has  been  dedicated  to  Gentius,  King  of  Ancient 
Illyria,  who  is  said  to  have  discovered  its  medicinal 
qualities.     This    species    has   been   proposed    as   our 

344 


FRINGED  GENTIAN.      Gentiana  crinira 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

national  flower,  and  it  has  also  been  immortalized  in 
our  literature  since  Bryant  wrote: 

"Thou  waitest  late  and  cometh  alone, 
When  woods  are  bare  and  birds  are  flown, 
And  frosts  and  shortening  days  portend 
The  aged  year  is  near  his  end." 

Artists  consider  that  the  blue  of  the  Gentian  is  the 
nearest  approach  to  the  colour  of  the  sky.  The  leafy, 
angled,  and  usually  branching  stalk  is  smooth  and 
grooved,  and  grows  annually  from  one  to  three  feet 
high.  The  clasping  leaves  have  a  heart-shaped  base 
and  a  long,  tapering  point.  They  are  thin  and  toothless 
and  are  set  upon  the  stalk  in  alternating,  opposite 
pairs.  There  is  something  classical  about  the  deep, 
vase-shaped  corolla  of  the  erect,  bright  blue  flowers. 
They  are  mostly  four-parted,  and  about  two  inches 
high.  The  four  rounded  and  spreading  lobes  are 
imely  fringed  around  the  top  edge,  and  are  sensitive 
to  the  sunlight.  They  open  and  close  with  a  twisting 
gesture  at  night,  or  on  dull  days.  Each  of  the  four- 
pointed  parts  of  the  calyx  is  ridged.  The  solitary 
flowers  are  borne  on  the  tips  of  long  and  short  branches, 
several  of  which  are  so  closely  parallel  as  to  form  a 
loose,  upright  group.  They  are  found  from  Quebec  to 
Minnesota,  and  south  to  Georgia  and  Iowa. 

CLOSED,  OR  BOTTLE  GENTIAN 

Gentiana  Andrewsii.     Gentian  Family. 

The  singular  flowers  of  the  Closed  Gentian  have  a 
curious  attraction  because  they  never  open.     They  are 

345 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD   FLOWERS 

shaped  like  the  thick  part  of  a  miniature  Indian  club 
and  have  the  appearance  of  a  large,  healthy  bud, 
that  is  just  about  to  unfold.  The  plant  is  perennial, 
and  consequently  much  more  common  and  easier  to 
find  each  year  than  the  Fringed  Gentian.  It  flourishes 
in  moist,  rich  soil  in  meadows  and  thickets,  or  along 
woodland  borders,  and  may  be  found  at  its  best  from 
August  to  October.  The  single,  leafy  stalk  is  erect, 
or  nearly  so,  and  grows  one  or  two  feet  in  height.  It 
is  smooth  and  stout.  The  rather  large,  toothless, 
lance-shaped  leaves  have  a  long,  tapering  point,  and 
are  narrow  or  sometimes  rounded  toward  the  base. 
They  are  arranged  in  alternating  opposite  pairs  at 
regular  intervals,  and  are  often  tinged  with  brown. 
The  flowers  are  of  an  intense  blue  in  colour,  becoming 
lighter  toward  the  base.  Several  of  them  are  gathered 
in  a  crowded  terminal  leafy  cluster,  or  occasionally 
one  or  two  are  set  in  the  axils  of  the  leaves.  The 
stamens  are  gathered  in  the  form  of  a  tube,  and 
the  divisions  of  the  green  calyx  are  long  and  narrow. 
This  Gentian  ranges  from  Georgia  and  Missouri, 
well  into  Canada. 

FORQET-ME=NOT.     MOUSE-EAR.     SCORPION 
GRASS.   SNAKE=QRASS.      LOVE=ME 

Myosotis  scorpioides.     Borage  Family. 

The  exquisite  little  baby-blue  flowers  of  the  Forget- 
me-not  have  a  certain  sentiment  attached  to  them 
through  various  legends  of  love  and  affection  that 
endears  them  to  all.     In  the  language  of  flowers  they 

346 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

are  symbolic  of  true  love  and  constancy.  A  pretty 
Persian  legend,  told  by  the  poet  Shiraz,  runs  as  follows: 
"  It  was  in  the  golden  morning  of  the  early  world,  when 
an  angel  sat  weeping  outside  the  closed  gates  of  Eden. 
He  had  fallen  from  his  high  estate  through  loving  a 
daughter  of  earth,  nor  was  he  permitted  to  enter  again 
until  she  whom  he  loved  had  planted  the  flowers  of 
the  Forget-me-not  in  every  corner  of  the  world. 
He  returned  to  earth,  and  assisted  her,  and  they  went 
hand  in  hand  over  the  world,  planting  the  Forget- 
me-nots.  When  their  task  was  ended  they  entered 
Paradise  together;  for  the  fair  woman,  without  tasting 
the  bitterness  of  death,  became  immortal  like  the  angel, 
whose  love  her  beauty  had  won,  when  she  sat  by  the 
river  twining  the  Forget-me-nots  in  her  hair." 

This  species  is  a  native  of  Europe  and  Asia,  and 
is  the  true  flower  of  our  gardens,  which  has  escaped, 
and  is  found  in  marshes  and  along  brooks  or 
in  moist  meadows  from  Ivlay  to  August.  It  is 
a  low-branching  perennial,  having  slender  root- 
stocks  or  stolens.  The  slender,  leafy  stems  grow 
from  six  to  eighteen  inches  in  length,  and  often  take 
root  again  at  the  lower  leaf  joints.  The  oblong,  lance- 
shaped,  and  hairy  leaf  has  a  blunt  tip  and  partly  clasps 
the  stalk.  The  small  spreading,  five-lobed,  yellow- 
centred,  light  blue,  or  sometimes  pink,  flowers  are 
borne  in  small,  one-sided,  curving  terminal  clusters. 
The  buds  are  tinted  with  pink.  The  Forget-me-not 
is  spreading  rapidly  from  Nova  Scotia  to  New  York, 
and    Pennsylvania    southward    and    westward.     The 

347 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD   FLOWERS 

generic  name,  Myosotis,  is  from  the  Greek,  meaning 
Mouse-ear,  and  alludes  to  the  leaves. 

VIRGINIA  COWSLIP.     TREE  LUNGWORT. 
BLUE   BELLS 

Mertensia  virginica.    Borage  Family. 

The  beautiful,  showy,  blue-purple  bells  of  the  Vir- 
ginia Cowslip  delight  the  eyes  of  those  who  are  fortunate 
enough  to  stroll  along  the  brooks  of  some  low  meadow 
during  the  spring  when  this  plant  is  in  flower.  The 
smooth,  stout,  pale  green  stalk  is  either  single  or  branch- 
ing and  grows  one  or  two  feet  high.  The  large,  veiny, 
pointed  oblong  or  oval  leaves  are  dark  green  and  tooth- 
less, and  they  alternate  upon  the  stalk.  The  upper 
ones  are  seated  upon  the  stalk,  and  the  lower  ones 
are  narrowed  into  long  stems.  The  pretty  five-lobed, 
spreading,  trumpet-shaped  flowers  are  an  inch  long, 
and  are  gathered  in  a  loose  terminal  cluster,  from  which 
they  spread  or  hang.  They  are  pinkish  in  bud,  becom- 
ing purplish  when  in  blossom,  and  finally  bluish  as  they 
fade.  This  handsome  perennial  is  a  lover  of  moist,  wet 
situations,  and  often  grows  in  great  masses.  It  blooms 
from  March  to  May,  from  New  York  and  South  Caro- 
lina to   Kansas,   Nebraska,  Minnesota   and   Ontario. 

VIPER'S   BUGLOSS.      BLUEWEED.     SNAKE 
FLOWER.   BLUE  THISTLE 

Echium  vulgare.    Borage  Family. 

In  some  sections  of  the  country,  this  plant  has  been 
regarded  as  a  troublesome  weed,  and  one  that  is  not 
easily  discouraged  by  frequent  attempts  to  eradicate  it 

348 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

from  cultivated  fields,  which  it  has  overrun  since  its 
introduction  from  Europe.  The  flower  lover  however, 
will  always  welcome  it  along  our  highways  and  byways, 
inasmuch  as  our  flora  is  not  over-toned  with  true  blues. 
The  stout,  bristly-haired  biennial  stalk  is  much 
branched,  and  its  light  green  surface  is  dotted  with  red 
or  purple.  The  alternating  rough  and  hairy,  oblong 
or  lance-shaped  leaves  are  toothless  and  clasp  the  stalk, 
and  the  lower  ones  are  narrowed  into  short  stems. 
The  numerous,  brilliant  blue,  tubular,  funnel-formed 
flowers  are  unequally  five-lobed.  The  latter  are 
rounded  and  spreading.  They  are  at  first  bright  blue, 
varying  to  reddish  purple.  The  five  slender  stamens 
and  the  pistil  are  rosy  tinted,  and  project  beyond  the 
corolla,  adding  much  to  the  general  fuzziness  of  the 
plant.  The  flower  buds  are  pink  before  they  finally 
expand,  and  the  numerous  buds  are  closely  arranged 
in  a  double  one-sided  row  along  the  ends  of  the  branches 
which  are  tightly  curled.  A  few  flowers  on  each  cluster 
open  at  a  time,  as  the  stem  gradually  straightens. 
These  floral  clusters  are  closely  grouped  on  the  stalk, 
and  at  a  distance  from  the  large,  thick,  clumsy  spike. 
The  entire  plant  is  so  bristly  that  it  is  not  likely  to  be- 
come a  popular  bouquet  flower.  It  is  found  from  Can- 
ada to  Virginia  and  Nebraska,  from  July  to  September. 

BLUE  VERVAIN.     WILD   HYSSOP 

Verbena  hastata.    Vervain  Family. 

During  July  and  August  we  find  the  Blue  Vervain 
with  every  one  of  its  slender,  upright  branches  terminat- 

349 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD    FLOWERS 

ing  in  numerous  long,  beady,  rocket-like,  flowering 
spikes,  each  so  lengthened  and  regulated  as  to  form  an 
elaborate,  equally  balanced,  floral  candelabra.  It  is 
a  handsome  perennial,  growing  from  three  to  seven 
feet  high  in  moist  fields  and  meadows,  or  along  rail- 
roads and  highways.  The  stout,  rough,  leafy  stalk 
is  four-sided  and  grooved,  and  is  often  stained  with 
red.  The  opposite  lance-shaped  leaves  are  irregularly 
double-toothed  and  taper-pointed,  with  noticeable 
veins.  They  are  short-stemmed  and  rough  surfaced, 
and  the  lower  ones  are  sometimes  lobed  or  arrow- 
shaped  at  the  base.  The  five-lobed  tubular  flowers 
are  very  small,  and  several  open  at  a  time  in  a  single 
circle  as  they  mount  the  extending,  purple-stained  spike. 
They  are  deep  purplish-blue  in  colour,  and  have  a 
pistil  and  two  pairs  of  stamens.  As  the  flowers  continue 
to  blossom  toward  the  top  of  the  spike,  they  are  suc- 
ceeded by  ripening  seed  enclosed  within  the  overlapping, 
purplish  calyx,  which  lends  much  to  the  attractiveness 
of  the  royal  colour  scheme.  Vervain  is  also  known  as 
the  Holy  Herb,  and  was  one  of  the  religious  plants 
of  the  Druids.  Long,  long  ago,  Vervain  was  held 
sacred  to  Thor,  the  god  of  thunder,  and  like  other  plants 
connected  with  lightning,  it  was  supposed  to  possess 
peculiar  influences  upon  the  eyesight.  It  is  also  said 
to  have  been  found  growing  upon  the  Mount  of  Calvary 
when  Jesus  died.  On  account  of  its  mystic  virtues,  it 
was  formerly  much  used  for  stimulating  affections  and 
charms.  It  was  reputed  to  break  the  power  of  witches. 
In  France,  it  is  gathered  under  certain  changes  of  the 

35° 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

moon  with  secret  incantations,  after  which  it  is  supposed 
to  accomplish  remarkable  cures.  Bridal  wreaths 
made  of  Vervain  are  used  in  Germany.  It  was  one  of 
the  most  important  assets  of  the  old  herb  doctors  who 
were  called  "Simplers,"  and  who  professed  to  cure 
everything  that  flesh  was  heir  to.  Virgil  and  Shakes- 
peare both  mention  Vervain  in  their  writings.  The 
Wild  Hyssop,  as  it  is  sometimes  called,  is  found  from 
Canada  to  Florida,  Nebraska  and  New  Mexico. 

BLUE  CURLS.      BASTARD   PENNYROYAL 

Trichostema  dichotomum.    Mint  Family. 

This  rather  stiff,  slender-stemmed,  sticky  haired, 
strong-scented,  and  much-branched  annual  grows  from 
six  inches  to  two  feet  high  in  dry,  sandy  fields.  The 
toothless,  short-stemmed,  and  nearly  smooth,  lance- 
shaped  leaves  occur  in  opposite  pairs.  They  are  sticky 
haired,  and  exhale  a  balsamic  odour,  coarsely  suggest- 
ing that  of  Pennyroyal.  The  numerous  blue,  pink, 
or  rarely  white,  deeply  five-cleft,  tubular  flowers  have 
ridiculously  long,  hair-like  blue  or  violet  stamens, 
which  extend  far  beyond  the  corolla.  When  the  flower 
opens  they  are  nearly  erect,  but  soon  curl  gracefully 
inward,  forming  a  large  spiral.  The  lobes  of  the  corolla 
spread  open,  and  the  lower  and  longer  one  is  widely 
flared  like  a  long  tongue  or  lip.  They  terminate  the 
branches,  usually  in  pairs,  and  opening  in  the  morning, 
last  only  for  the  day.  Some  of  the  flowers  grow  upside 
down,  owing  to  the  peculiar  twisting  of  their  short 
stems.     They   blossom    from    July   to    October,    and 

351 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD   FLOWERS 

range    from    Maine    to    Florida,    and    west    through 
Pennsylvania,  Kentucky,  Missouri  and  Texas. 

MAD=DOQ.     SKULLCAP.     MADWEED. 
HOODWORT 

Scutellaria  lateriflora.     Mint  Family. 

A  well-known,  perennial  herb,  formerly  esteemed  as  a 
remedy  in  dog-bites.  It  was  also  used  as  a  family 
medicine  for  nervous  disorders  of  every  description. 
This  species  grows  commonly  in  moist,  shady  places, 
along  ditches  and  ponds,  where  it  raises  its  slender, 
smooth,  square,  leafy,  and  much-branched  stalk  a 
foot  or  two  high.  The  thin,  coarsely  toothed,  slender- 
stemmed  leaves  are  pointed  oblong  to  lance  shaped, 
and  are  arranged  in  opposite  alternating  pairs.  The 
several  or  many  small,  tubular,  blue  flowers  are  two 
lipped.  The  upper  hp  is  arched  and  the  spreading 
lower  one  is  notched  at  the  apex.  The  two-lipped 
calyx  has  a  small,  helmet-like  appendage  on  the  upper 
lip,  which  is  an  easy  means  for  identifying  the  genus. 
The  flowers  spring  from  the  axils  of  the  uppermost 
leaves,  on  one-sided,  terminal  branches,  from  July  to 
September.  This  species  ranges  from  coast  to  coast, 
and  from  the  British  possessions  south  to  Florida, 
New  Mexico  and  Washington. 

CATNIP.     CATMINT.      NEP 

Nepeta  Cataria.    Mint  Family. 

Country  folks  who  have  drifted  to  the  great  cities  will 
never  forget  how  Aunt  Kate  or  Aunt  Sue  used  to  soothe 

352 


r^  ^  ^  ^^\^  ii^^^^B 

'"i^^ji^Sf-"  I 

.^^jpF  ■ ' 

I 

CLOSED,  or  BOTTLED  GENTIAN.     Gentiana  Andrewsii 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

our  troubled  and  aching  stomachs  with  Catnip  tea. 
We  relished  its  flavour  for  it  tasted  so  good.  First  it 
was  green  apples  or  green  grapes  —  then  Catnip  tea. 
Again  wet  feet  and  snuffles  —  then,  more  Catnip  tea. 
And  ofttimes  it  was  just  Catnip  tea  for  the  sake  of  drink- 
ing it.  Grandmother  will  tell  you  that  it  is  the  safest 
remedy  for  quieting  little  babies  when  they  are  in  pain. 
Cats  display  an  exceedingly  strong  hking  for  this  plant, 
and  will  eat  it  and  roll  into  it  almost  as  easily  and 
naturally  as  they  will  take  to  a  bird  or  a  mouse.  You 
can  always  distinguish  a  member  of  the  Mint  family  by 
its  usually  four-sided  or  square  stem,  and  its  simple 
opposite  leaves.  The  pleasing,  aromatic  odour, 
pecuHar  to  the  Catnip  is  familiar  to  most  everyone 
wherever  it  grows.  The  large,  leafy,  hollow,  branching 
stalk  is  distinctly  square  and  grooved.  It  rises  from 
two  to  three  feet  high,  and  the  downy  branches  are 
straight  and  ascending.  The  fragrant,  short-stemmed, 
grayish  green  leaves  are  generally  heart-shaped,  with 
large,  sharp-pointed,  saw-toothed  margins.  They  are 
greener  above  than  beneath,  and  the  surface  is  velvety, 
and  they  occur  at  right  angles  on  the  stalk.  The  dark- 
spotted,  pale  purple  or  nearly  white  tubular  flowers  are 
rather  small  and  inconspicuous.  They  are  gathered 
in  whorled  clusters,  which  are  set  in  short,  dense  termi- 
nal spikes.  They  are  strongly  two-lipped.  The 
erect  upper  lip  is  two-lobed,  and  the  spreading  lower 
lip  is  three-lobed,  with  the  central  lobe  largest.  The 
small,  hairy,  green  calyx  is  five-parted.  Catnip  is 
frequently  found  near  dwellings  and  barns,  and  along 

353 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD   FLOWERS 

roadsides,  from  July  to  November,  and  ranges  from 
New  Brunswick  and  Quebec,  to  Virginia  and  Kansas. 
Also  in  Asia. 

QROUND^IVY.     GILL=OVER=THE=QROUND.    FIELD 

BALM.      HAYMAIDS.     CAT'S   FOOT. 

CREEPING    CHARLIE 

Nepeia  hederacea.    Mint  Family. 

This  gallivanting  perennial  came  to  us  from  Europe, 
and  delights  to  trapse  over  moist,  shady  dells,  thickets, 
and  turnpikes,  where  it  blossoms  gaily  during  the 
spring  months.  It  is  an  old  and  familiar  herb,  formerly 
much  used  as  a  "simple"  in  those  homely  days  when 
hospitals  were  few  and  far  between,  and  skill  and 
scalpel  were  less  in  vogue  in  the  medical  line,  and 
"Angels  with  lint  and  lance,  and  God's  messenger, 
the  ambulance,"  were  blessings  yet  to  record. 
Dear,  quaint,  old  Gerarde!  Quoth  he:  "Boiled 
in  mutton-broth,  it  helpeth  weake  and  acking  backs." 
It  has  a  peculiar,  disagreeable  odour,  and  a  bitterish, 
somewhat  aromatic  taste,  and  cattle  purposely  avoid  it. 
As  a  domestic  remedy  it  is  said  to  be  a  gentle  stimulant 
and  tonic,  and  useful  in  lung  troubles.  The  creeping 
and  trailing  stalk  grows  sometimes  eighteen  inches  in 
length,  with  ascending  branches.  It  is  square  and 
leafy,  and  roots  at  the  joints.  The  small,  roundish, 
evergreen  leaves  are  set  in  pairs,  on  long,  slender,  curv- 
ing stems,  which  are  flattened  and  grooved  on  one  side. 
They  are  heart-shaped  at  the  base,  and  their  margins 
are  cut  with  broad,  rounded  scallops.     Their  surface 

354 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

is  soft  and  downy  to  the  touch.  The  rather  large, 
hght,  bluish  purple,  tubular  flowers  are  two-lipped. 
The  upper  lip,  which  arches  over  the  four  unequal 
stamens  and  pistil,  is  erect  and  notched  at  the  middle. 
The  spreading  lower  lip,  which  is  spotted  with  dark 
purple,  is  three-lobed,  the  middle  one  being  much 
enlarged.  The  long,  ribbed,  tubular  calyx  is  unequally 
five-parted.  The  flowers  are  borne  in  sparse  clusters 
from  the  axils  of  the  leaves.  The  Ground-i^7•  often 
forms  dense,  green  mats,  and  is  found  in  blossom  from 
March  to  May,  from  Newfoundland,  Ontario  and 
Minnesota,  south  to  Georgia  and  Kansas. 

SELF=HEAL.      HEAL=ALL.      BLUE    CURLS.     THIM= 
BLE=FLOWER.       ALL=HEAL.      CARPENTER'S= 
HERB.  HEART=OF=THE=EARTH.    BRUNELLA. 

Prunella  vulgaris.    Mint  Family. 

One  of  the  commonest  and  most  widely  ranged  of 
all  plants.  Along  dusty  roadsides,  cowpaths,  and  in 
fields,  woods  and  waste  places  everywhere,  this  familiar, 
low-growing  perennial  flourishes  with  little  effort. 
The  thick,  round,  elongated  flower  head  blossoms 
sparingly  as  it  lengthens,  from  spring  to  fall.  The 
usually  smooth,  slender,  leafy  and  occasionally  branch- 
ing stalk,  is  usually  too  weak  to  hold  itself  erect,  and 
lies  sprawling  in  the  grass.  The  four-sided  stalk  is 
deeply  grooved  on  two  opposite  sides.  The  smooth, 
oblong,  lance-shaped  leaves  have  a  long,  tapering  tip 
and  a  narrowed  base.  They  are  rather  thin,  and  their 
margins  are  often  slightly   toothed.     They  occur  in 

355 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD    FLOWERS 

alternating  opposite  pairs  on  slender  stems.  The 
small,  violet,  purple,  or  rarely  white,  hooded,  tubular 
flowers  are  gathered  in  dense  terminal  spikes,  suggesting 
a  Clover  head.  They  are  strongly  and  irregularly 
two-lipped.  The  darker  toned  and  deeply  arched  upper 
lip  is  hood-hke.  The  spreading  lower  Hp  is  three- 
lobed,  with  the  edge  of  the  middle  and  longest  lobe, 
fringed.  The  four  unequal  stamens  and  pistil  show 
within  the  arch  of  the  upper  lip.  The  oblong  calyx 
is  deeply  cleft  into  two  unequal  parts,  and  is  guarded 
at  its  base  with  a  broad,  heart-shaped  bract.  The 
flowers  may  be  found  from  April  to  October,  and  from 
one  end  of  the  country  to  the  other.  In  Germany 
this  plant  formerly  had  a  reputation  for  curing  throat 
diseases.  It  has  also  been  used  in  healing  wounds, 
and  for  making  a  gargle  for  sore  throats. 

AMERICAN,  OR  MOCK    PENNYROYAL.     TICK= 
WEED.     SQUAW=MINT 

Hedeoma  pulegioides.     Mint  Family. 

There  is  small  chance  of  overlooking  this  litde  mem- 
ber of  the  Mint  family  because  of  its  size.  Whatever 
it  lacks  in  this  respect,  it  more  than  makes  up  for 
in  the  familiar  fragrance  exhaled  by  its  foliage. 
Its  pleasing,  aromatic  pungency  permeates  the  atmos- 
phere for  a  considerable  distance,  and  is  always  sure  to 
attract  the  attention  of  the  passer-by.  The  odour  is 
believed  to  keep  away  mosquitoes,  and  for  this  purpose 
the  oil  of  Pennyroyal  is  popular  with  hunters,  campers 
and  summer  vacationists.    It  is  also  used  as  a  gentle 

356 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

stimulant,  and  for  relieving  cramps  and  sick  stomachs, 
which  children  are  prone  to  experience.  It  has  a  pleas- 
ant taste,  and  there  is  no  harm  in  nibbhng  its  leaves  as 
we  do  those  of  the  Wintergreen.  The  erect  and  very 
slender,  leafy  stalk  of  this  annual  herb  is  branching  and 
hairy,  and  grows  from  six  to  eighteen  inches  high  in 
dry,  grassy  fields  and  pastures.  The  small,  strongly 
scented  leaves  are  somewhat  egg-shaped,  tapering 
at  the  base  into  short  stems,  and  their  margins  are 
scantily  toothed.  They  occur  in  alternating,  opposite 
pairs,  which  graduate  in  size  as  they  mount  the  square 
stalk.  The  tiny,  two-lipped,  tubular,  purple  flowers 
are  gathered  in  the  axils  of  the  leaves,  and  form 
long,  slender,  terminal  spikes.  The  erect,  upper  lip  is 
usually  fiat  and  notched,  and  the  lower  one  is  three- 
lobed  and  spreading.  It  is  found  from  July  to  Septem- 
ber, from  Canada  to  Florida,  and  westward  to  Nebraska 
and  the  Dakotas. 

SPEARMINT.  SAGE  OF  BETHLEHEM. 
GARDEN  MINT 

Mentha  spicata.     Mint  Family. 

We  have  inherited  nearly  all  of  our  Mints  from 
Europe.  Their  strongest  family  traits  consist  of  square 
stems,  and  opposite,  simple,  and  odorous  leaves.  They 
are  perennial  herbs,  with  usually  small-clustered,  tubular 
flowers.  The  Spearmint  grows  commonly  in  wet 
places  near  cultivated  grounds,  where  it  has  escaped 
from  gardens,  and  may  be  found  in  blossom  from  July 
to    September.     This    generally    smooth,    erect,    and 

357 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD    FLOWERS 

branching  plant  grows  a  foot  or  so  high,  from  leafy 
runners  or  stolens.  The  sharply  toothed,  lance-shaped 
leaves  are  pointed  at  the  tip  and  narrowed  at  the  base. 
They  are  noticeably  veined,  and  are  set  in  alternating 
pairs  upon  the  stalk,  sometimes  with  short  stems. 
They  have  a  strong,  aromatic  taste,  and  are  much  in 
favour  as  a  flavouring  for  meat  sauces  and  cooling 
drinks.  It  is  also  used  to  some  extent  in  medicine. 
The  very  small,  pale  purple,  four-cleft,  tubular  flowers, 
are  set  in  a  tiny,  five-parted,  bell-shaped  green  calyx, 
and  are  gathered  in  small  whorls,  one  above  the  other, 
with  a  space  between;  forming  long,  slim,  terminal 
spikes,  the  central  spike  becoming  very  long.  This 
Mint  is  found  from  Canada  south  to  Florida  and  Kansas 
and  west  to  Minnesota  and  Utah. 

PEPPERMINT.      LAMB,   OR   BRANDY=MINT 

Mentha  piperita.     Mint  Family. 

Peppermint  is  one  of  the  most  popularly  known 
flavourings  for  candies.  The  plant  is  extensively  cul- 
tivated for  the  strong  aromatic  oil  which  it  produces, 
and  in  this  respect  it  ranks  as  one  of  the  most  important 
of  all  plants.  This  oil  is  used  very  extensively  in 
medicines,  and  for  the  production  of  menthol.  The 
cultivation  of  this  species  was  carried  on  long  ago  by 
the  Egyptians.  It  has  a  peculiar,  penetrating  odour, 
and  is  pungent  and  cooling  to  the  taste.  In  medicines 
it  is  used  as  a  stimulant,  to  allay  nausea,  and  to  reheve 
sudden  cramps  or  pains  in  the  stomach.  Peppermint 
grows  from  one  to  three  feet  high  in  wet  soil,  and  along 

358 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

brooks,  where  it  may  be  found  from  July  to  September. 
It  is  erect  and  branched,  with  smooth  stems,  and 
increases  by  underground  suckers.  It  resembles 
somewhat  the  Spearmint.  The  thin,  broad  oval, 
sharply  pointed  dark  green  leaf  is  set  on  purple 
stained  stems,  and  is  regularly  toothed.  The  tiny 
flowers  are  arranged  in  dense  whorls,  which  are 
closely  gathered  in  a  short,  thick,  round,  terminal 
spike.  It  ranges  from  Canada  to  Florida,  Tennessee 
and  Minnesota.  Spiraea  is  from  the  Greek,  meaning, 
twisting,  and  alludes  to  the  twisted  seedpods  in  some 
of  the  species. 

AMERICAN  WILD  MINT 

Mentha  arvensis.     Mint  Family. 

A  native  variable  species  with  an  odour  like  Penny- 
royal, growing  commonly  along  the  brooks  and  in  moist 
soils,  from  six  inches  to  two  and  a  half  feet  in  height, 
with  the  whorled  flowers  seated  in  the  leaf-axils.  It  is 
more  or  less  hairy.  The  long,  narrow,  prominently 
ribbed  leaf  tapers  toward  both  ends,  and  is  slender- 
stemmed  and  sharply  toothed.  The  texture  is  coarse 
and  the  surfaces  are  either  roughish  or  nearly  smooth. 
The  little  flowers  are  light  purple  or  nearly  white.  This 
plant  is  frequently  mistaken  for  Peppermint,  for  which 
it  is  sometimes  substituted.  It  may  be  found  from 
July  to  October,  and  ranges  from  the  British  possessions 
to  Virginia,  Nebraska,  New  Mexico  and  Nevada. 
It  is  also  found  in  California.  This  is  the  only  Mint 
that  is  truly  native  to  our  country.     Mentha  is  derived 

359 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD    FLOWERS 

from  Mintha,  the  Greek  nymph  and  daughter  of  Cocy- 
tus,  whom  Prosperine,  the  wife  of  Pluto,  is  said  to  have 
transformed  into  these  plants. 

NIGHTSHADE.      BLUE     BINDWEED.      FELON= 

WORT.      BITTERSWEET.     POISON=FLOWER. 

POISON,   OR  SNAKE   BERRY 

Solanum  Dulcamara.     Potato  Family, 

This  pretty  Nightshade  has  been  classed  among  the 
principal  poisonous  plants  of  our  country,  but  it  is  far 
from  being  the  treacherous  and  violent  sort  with  which 
it  has  often  been  associated  in  folk-lore.  It  is  not  of 
the  Poison  Ivy  sort,  and  can  be  handled  with  impunity 
in  this  respect.  At  the  same  time  one  should  refrain 
from  testing  its  effects  upon  the  system.  It  should  not 
be  held  in  the  mouth  nor  chewed,  neither  should  the 
berries  be  eaten,  as  some  ill  effects  have  been  caused 
thereby.  It  is  rather  common  in  moist  thickets  and 
along  damp,  shady  roadsides,  streams  and  ditches, 
from  May  to  September.  The  smooth  or  finely-haired, 
green  stalk  grows  from  two  to  eight  feet  in  length,  and 
is  perennial.  It  is  branched,  straggling  and  climbing, 
and  has  a  rank,  coarse  odour.  The  thin,  alternating, 
dark  green,  toothless  leaves  taper  toward  the  tip  and 
are  set  on  slender  stems.  The  lower  ones  are  usually 
heart-shaped  while  the  upper  ones  are  deeply  cut  at  the 
base  into  two  narrow,  flaring  lobes  or  wings  with  pointed 
tips.  The  veinings  show  on  the  under  side,  and  the 
midrib  is  coarse.  The  surface  is  frequently  marked 
with  irregular,  pale  rusty  spots.      The  enticing,  yellow- 

369 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

centred,  purple  flowers  have  a  star-shaped  corolla,  and 
are  set  in  a  small,  green,  five-parted,  bell-shaped  calyx. 
They  hang  gracefully  on  their  curved  stemlets  in  small, 
loose,  spreading  and  nodding  clusters,  from  a  slender 
stem  which  springs  from  the  axils  of  the  leaves.  The 
five  deeply  cleft  and  pointed  segments  of  the  corolla  are 
prettily  recurved,  and  at  the  base  of  each  there  are  two 
green  spots.  The  five  yellow  stamens  project  with  their 
anthers  united  in  the  form  of  a  cone.  The  bright  red 
berries  form  very  attractive  drooping  clusters  in  the 
fall.  Nightshade  is  found  from  New  Brunswick  to 
Minnesota,  and  south  to  North  Carolina  and  Kansas. 
The  plant  has  a  peculiar  juice  which  is  at  first 
sweetish  to  the  taste,  then  soon  becoming  bitter  and 
it  has  also  some  medicinal  qualities.  It  is  related 
to  the  potato,  tomato  and  egg-plant  of  our  gardens, 
and  is  naturalized  from  Europe. 

BLUE,   OR  WILD    TOAD    FLAX 

Linaria  canadensis.    Figwort  Family. 

Here  is  an  extremely  dainty  and  slender  white 
throated  blue-flowered  relative  of  the  notoriously  com- 
mon Butter-and-Eggs,  and  it  is  found  in  dry,  sandy  soils 
from  May  to  September.  The  slim,  delicate,  smooth  and 
shining  green  stalk  is  often  branched,  and  grows  from 
four  inches  to  two  feet  or  more  in  height,  annually  or  bi- 
annually.  It  is  weak-stemmed,  and  is  often  found  sup- 
ported by  neighbouring  vegetation.  The  alternating, 
toothless  leaves  are  very  small,  stemless,  and  sharply 
pointed.     The  pretty  little  tubular  flower  is  two  hpped, 

361 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD   FLOWERS 

with  a  slender,  sharply-pointed,  curving  spur.  The 
upper  Hp  has  two  small,  rounded  and  erect  lobes.  The 
lower  lip  has  three  rounded,  spreading  lobes,  and  at  the 
throat  there  is  a  prominent,  white,  two-ridged  swelling 
that  hides  the  stamens  and  pistil.  Several  flowers  are 
set  on  tiny  stems  in  a  loose  terminal  spike.  They 
remind  one  somewhat  of  the  Lobelias,  but  are  easily 
distinguished  by  the  rounded  lobes  of  the  corolla,  while 
those  of  the  latter  flower  are  always  sharply  pointed. 
This  species  is  found  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Florida,  and 
west  to  Minnesota,  Oregon,  Texas  and  California. 

HAIRY   BEARD=TONQUE 

Pentstemon  hirsutus.    Figwort  Family. 

The  beautiful  showy  purple  or  violet  trumpets  of  this 
rather  common  Beard-tongue  are  found  from  May 
to  July  in  dry,  open  woods  and  rocky  fields  and  thickets. 
The  stalk  rises  from  one  to  three  feet  high,  and  is  slender 
and  downy,  with  fine  whitish  hairs.  The  slightly 
toothed,  pointed  oblong  to  lance-shaped  light  green 
leaves  are  somewhat  woolly,  and  vary  in  size  and  shape 
as  they  mount  the  stalk  in  opposite  pairs.  The  upper 
ones  are  clasping,  and  the  lower  ones  are  stemmed. 
The  flowers  are  borne  in  a  loose  terminal  spike.  The 
five  sharply  pointed  sepals  are  overlapping.  The 
tube  of  the  corolla  is  gradually  swelled  above,  and  has 
two  grooves  on  the  lower  side.  The  upper  lip  is 
two-lobed,  and  the  lower  one  is  three-cleft.  At  the 
base  of  the  latter  is  a  hairy  palate  that  nearly  closes 
the  throat.      One  of  the  stamens  is  densely  bearded 

362 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

for  half  its  length.      This  species  ranges  from  Maine 
to  Manitoba,  south  to  the  Gulf  States. 

MONKEY  FLOWER 

Mtmulus  rtngens.     Figwort  Family. 

With  erected  ears  and  extended  jowls,  this  gaping, 
grinning  ape  of  the  damp,  grassy  jungle  greets  us  cutely 
with  its  impudent,  animated  poise,  from  June  to  Sep- 
tember. If  its  lower  lip  is  pulled  downward  and  allowed 
to  close  again,  the  operation  causes  one  to  experience 
a  strong  inclination  to  yawn.  And  right  here,  this  same 
operation  fancifully  suggests  an  exaggerated  grin  that 
has  given  rise  to  its  Latin  name,  which  is  derived  from 
the  Greek,  miniMS,  a  small,  mimicking  ape  or  buffoon. 
The  square-stemmed  Monkey  Flower  is  usually  found 
in  moist  meadows  or  swamp  land,  particularly  along 
cool  streams  and  in  company  with  rank  growths  of 
grass  and  other  vegetation  pecuHar  thereto.  Here  their 
pertinent,  inquisitive  flowers  seem  to  strain  their  tethers 
in  an  effort  to  satisfy  their  apparent  curiosity  at  one's 
presence.  The  attractive  blossoms  open  one  or  two 
at  a  time  toward  the  top  of  the  slender,  leafy  stalk. 
Their  pale  violet  or  occasionally  white  corolla  appears 
dehghtfully  cool  and  cheerful  on  a  hot,  midsummer's 
day,  and  it  is  a  pleasant  relief  to  come  unexpectantly 
upon  them,  as  is  often  the  case  when  the  path  follows 
along  the  near  bank  of  a  stream.  The  smooth,  hollow 
stalk  is  erect  and  rises  from  one  to  three  feet  in  height. 
Two  of  its  sides  are  flattened,  and  the  other  two  are 
deeply    grooved.     These    flattened    surfaces  alternate 

3^3 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD   FLOWERS 

with  each  pair  of  leaves.  The  oblong,  or  lance-shaped 
leaves  taper  to  a  point,  and  become  narrow  toward  the 
base,  each  with  two  small  flaring  lobes  where  they  partly 
clasp  the  stalk,  upon  which  they  alternate.  The 
margins  are  finely  toothed,  and  the  feather-veined 
ribbings  crease  the  smooth,  green  surface.  The  flowers 
spring  from  the  axils  of  the  leaves,  on  partly  curved, 
slender  stems,  and  are  set  in  a  deep,  five-parted,  five- 
toothed  tubular  calyx,  the  uppermost  tooth  of  which  is 
longer  than  the  others.  The  irregular  corolla  is  two- 
lipped.  The  upper  lip  has  two  erect  lobes  which  curl 
backward  together,  causing  a  two-eared  effect,  while 
the  lower  lip  has  three  widely  flaring  lobes,  with  its 
centre  bulged,  forming  two  small,  yellow-patched 
swellings  that  close  the  throat  of  the  tube,  which  sets 
into  the  calyx.  Four  white,  thread-like  stamens  are 
seated  on  the  inside  of  the  tube,  and  their  yellow  tips 
meet  over  the  top  of  the  two-lobed  pistil.  They  are 
arranged  in  two  pairs,  one  set  being  shorter  than  the 
other.  Neither  the  pistil  nor  the  stamens  protrude  from 
the  corolla,  but  may  be  seen  flattened  against  the  hooded 
crease  of  the  upper  hp,  if  the  lower  lip  is  pulled  partly 
open.  The  texture  of  the  flowers  is  fine  and  delicate. 
This  perennial  herb  ranges  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Vir- 
ginia,  Tennessee,    Manitoba,    Nebraska   and   Texas. 

AMERICAN   BROOKLIME 

Veronica  americana.     Figwort  Family. 

Exceedingly    fragile,    this     nobbiest     one    of     our 
Speedwells  drops  its  tiny,    white-centred,  light    blue 

364 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

flowers  the  instant  we  attempt  to  pick  them.  They 
have  frequently  been  mistaken  for  those  of  the  Forget- 
me-not  by  careless  observers.  It  is  common  in  wet 
ditches  and  swamps  and  along  meadow  brooks  from 
April  to  September.  The  rather  stout,  smooth,  hollow 
stalk  is  usually  branched,  and  grows  from  six  inches  to 
three  feet  in  length  from  perennial  creeping  roots  or 
leafy  shoots.  The  weak,  sprawling  stalk  often  takes 
root  at  the  lower  joints.  The  long,  lance-shaped,  light 
green  leaves  are  sharply  toothed,  and  taper  toward 
the  point.  They  are  rounded  at  the  base,  and  are  set 
on  the  stalk  in  alternating  opposite  pairs,  with  short, 
broad,  flat  stems  that  clasp  the  stalk.  Their  surface 
is  smooth,  and  the  midrib  is  strongly  grooved.  The 
flowers  are  similar  in  structure  to  those  of  the 
Common  Speedwell,  but  are  light  blue  with  purple 
stripes,  and  have  a  white  spot  in  the  centre. 
The  two  stamens  and  pistil  are  light  purple.  The 
flowers  are  set  on  slender  stems  which  are  guarded 
with  bract  -  like  leaflets,  and  are  arranged  in  long, 
loose  terminal  spikes  that  spring  from  the  angles 
of  the  leaves.  They  are  found  from  Alaska  to 
New  Mexico,  and  from  the  Atlantic  to   the  Pacific. 

COMMON  SPEEDWELL.     UPLAND  SPEEDWELL. 
FLUELLIN.    PAUL'S  BETONY 

Veronica  offlcinalts.    Figwort  Family, 

Dear  little  Speedwell!  How  much  good-fellowship 
its  name  implies!  Before  the  steam  engine  became  a 
convenient  means  of  transportation,  many  a  weary  and 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD    FLOWERS 

foot-sore  traveler  has  been  cheered  and  encouraged 
as  he  trudged  the  by-paths  of  country  highways, 
by  these  httle  bright  blue  blossoms,  or  as  Tennyson 
says,  "the  little  Speedwell's  darling  blue."  There 
is  an  ancient  tradition  regarding  this  flower  that 
is  connected  with  our  Lord.  When  bearing  His 
cross  to  Calvary,  He  happened  to  pass  the  door 
of  Veronica,  a  Jewish  maiden,  who,  seeing  the  drops 
of  agony  on  His  brow,  wiped  His  face  with  a  linen 
cloth.  The  sacred  features  remained  impressed  upon 
the  hnen,  and  owing  to  the  fancied  resemblance  of 
the  Speedwell's  blossom  to  the  markings  on  this  hal- 
lowed piece  of  fabric,  the  plant  was  named  Veronica. 
This  relic  is  known  as  the  kerchief  of  St.  Veronica, 
and  still  reposes,  it  is  said,  in  St.  Peter's  Cathedral 
in  Rome.  Small  wonder,  then,  that  this  plant  was 
believed  to  possess  miraculous  virtues  for  curing 
various  bodily  ailments.  Even  now  it  is  used  as  a  tonic 
and  cough  medicine,  and  also  for  healing  wounds. 
The  Common  Speedwell  is  found  in  blossom  from 
May  to  August  along  roadsides  and  in  dry  fields,  uplands 
and  open  woods,  from  North  Carolina  and  Tennessee  to 
Michigan  and  Canada.  It  is  a  low-growing  perennial, 
increasing  by  creeping  roots  or  stolens  and  extending 
its  slender,  hairy,  branching  and  leafy  stalk,  from  three 
to  ten  inches  in  length.  It  usually  sprawls  along  the 
ground,  often  rooting  again  and  again  at  the  leaf  joints. 
The  downy,  oblong,  saw-edged,  evergreen  leaf  is  broad 
and  rounding  at  the  apex,  and  is  narrowed  at  the  base 
into  a  short  stem.     They  are  set  upon  the  stalk  in  oppo- 

366 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

site  pairs.  The  delicate  little  pale  blue  flower  has 
four  lobes,  each  of  which  is  striped  with  a  darker  shade. 
The  lower  lobe  is  noticeably  smaller  and  narrower 
than  the  outer  three.  The  calyx  is  four-parted,  and 
there  are  two  opposite  flaring  stamens  and  a  pistil. 
They  are  crowded  on  slender  upright  stems,  which 
spring  from  the  axils  of  the  leaves,  forming  narrow 
spike-like  arrangements.  The  flowers  are  remarkably 
fragile  and  drop  away  upon  the  slightest  provocation, 
and  especially  so  when  an  attempt  is  made  to  pick  them. 

THYME=LEAVED  SPEEDWELL 

Veronica  serpyllifoUa.    Figwort  Family. 

This  small  and  nearly  smooth  perennial  species  has 
weak,  slender  stems  which  are  much  branched  at  their 
creeping  base.  It  grows  from  two  to  ten  inches  in 
height  and  often  hes  close  to  the  ground.  The  little 
oval  or  oblong  leaves  are  indistinctly  toothed,  and 
occur  in  opposite  pairs  on  short  stems.  The  tiny 
flowers  resemble  those  of  the  American  Brooklime,  and 
are  pale  blue  with  darker  stripes,  or  sometimes  white 
in  colour.  The  tips  of  the  green  calyx  show  between 
the  divisions  of  the  corolla,  and  the  two  spreading 
stamens  are  tipped  with  light  blue.  They  are  set  on 
short  stems  springing  from  the  axils  of  small  leaflets, 
and  are  arranged  in  short  terminal  spikes.  Though 
delicate  in  texture,  they  are  much  less  fragile  than  those 
of  most  of  the  Speedwells.  It  is  found  commonly  in 
grassy  fields  and  thickets,  and  along  highways  from 
April  to  August,  and  ranges  from  Labrador  to  Alaska, 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD  FLOWERS 

south  to  Georgia,  New  Mexico  and  California.     Also 
in  Europe,  Asia  and  South  America. 

BLUETS.  INNOCENCE.   QUAKER  LADIES. 
QUAKER  BONNETS.  VENUS'S  PRIDE 

Housionia  caerulea.    Madder  Family, 

When  one  has  viewed  the  myriads  of  Quaker  Ladies 
that  blossom  so  vigorously  from  April  to  July,  it  is  not 
difficult  to  realize  that  the  spirit  that  moved  them  never 
prompted  their  dignified  namesakes  with  such  strenuous 
activity.  Otherwise  their  azure  bonnets  would  never 
have  graced  our  grassy  meadows  with  so  much  pro- 
fusion as  we  are  annually  privileged  to  enjoy.  The 
slender,  spreading  rootstock  forms  a  dense  tuft  of  small 
leaves,  from  which  a  frail,  sparingly  branched  green 
stem  rises  from  three  to  seven  inches  in  height.  The 
tiny,  toothless  leaves  are  generally  oblong  in  shape. 
The  basal  ones  are  broader  toward  the  end  and  are 
narrowed  into  short  stems.  A  few  smaller  ones  clasp 
the  stem  in  opposite  pairs.  The  dehcate  flowers  are 
very  small,  and  are  set  in  a  tiny  green  calyx  on  the  tip 
of  the  stem,  where  they  nod  in  the  bud.  The  corolla  is 
funnel-shaped,  with  four  widely  spreading  and  pointed 
lobes.  They  are  white,  faintly  tinged  with  light  blue 
or  violet,  with  a  circle  of  yellow  in  the  centre.  The 
Bluets  often  grow  in  great  colonies  in  moist,  sunny 
fields,  along  roadsides  and  fences  or  on  wet  rocks, 
from  Georgia  and  Alabama  to  Michigan,  Ontario  and 
Nova  Scotia.  Linnaeus  dedicated  this  genera  to 
Dr.  Wilham  Houston,  an  English  botanist  who  collected 

368 


GREAT,  or  BLUE  LOBELIA.     Lobelia  siphilitica 


NEW  YORK  ASTER.       Aster  novi-belgii 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

in  tropical  America,  and  who  died  in  1733.  There 
are  about  twenty-five  species  of  this  genus  in  North 
America. 

VENUS'S  LOOKING-GLASS.     CLASPING 
BELLFLOWER 

Specularia  perfoliata.     Bellflower  Family. 

For  a  possessor  of  such  a  fanciful  semi-classic  name 
as  Venus' s  Looking-glass  one  would  naturally  expect 
to  find  a  more  elaborate  and  dazzling  representative 
than  this  rather  lowly  and  demure  flower.  The  some- 
what weak,  slender,  annual,  wandlike  stalk  is  very 
leafy,  and  often  leans  or  reclines  against  surrounding 
growths  for  its  support.  It  is  angled  and  slightly 
hairy,  and  branches  from  near  the  base.  The  small 
leaves  are  almost  an  exact  heart  shape,  with  scalloped 
margins,  and  they  clasp  the  stalk  alternatingly.  They 
are  prettily  folded,  and  set  out  from  the  stalk  like  tiny 
basins  on  a  miniature  fountain.  The  corolla  of  the 
blue,  violet  or  purplish  wheel-like  flower  has  five 
spreading  divisions.  There  are  five  stamens  and  a 
three-tipped  pistil.  The  long,  green  calyx  has  five, 
stiff,  pointed  parts.  The  flowers,  which  are  usually 
solitary,  or  sometimes  in  twos  or  threes,  at  the  top  of 
the  stalk,  are  set  in  the  axils  of  the  enfolding  leaf,  and 
only  a  few  open  at  a  time.  The  small,  lower  buds, 
which  are  first  to  appear,  ripen  their  seeds  without 
opening  at  all.  Such  buds  are  called  cleis-to-gamic. 
This  Bellflower  is  found  commonly  from  May  to  Sep- 
tember, in  dry,  open  woodland  borders,  and  grassy 

369 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD   FLOWERS 

hillsides,  from  ocean  to  ocean,  and  from  Canada  to 
Utah,  Mexico  and  the  Gulf  States. 

HAIRBELL.      HAREBELL.      LADY'S  THIMBLE. 
BLUE   BELLS  OF  SCOTLAND 

Campanula  rotundifolia.     Bellflower  Family. 

There  is  always  an  airy,  cheery  loveliness  about  this 
bonny  blue  Highland  lassie,  that  wins  our  constant 
affection  and  admiration.  Blue  Bells  of  Scotland! 
How  it  tingles  the  blood  to  come  upon  them  and  to 
recall  that  they  were  the  same  dear  flower.  The  name 
fairly  rings  in  our  ears  as  we  ponder  over  their  dainty 
drooping  blossoms,  which  seem  to  nod  in  cadence  with 
the  murmur  or  babble  of  the  mountain  brook  whose 
moist,  rocky  banks  they  love  to  decorate  from  June 
to  September.  This  rather  frail,  delicate  perennial, 
grows  usually  from  six  to  twenty  inches,  or  sometimes 
fully  three  feet  high,  from  a  slender  rootstock.  The 
smooth,  single,  or  branching  stem  is  very  slender, 
and  frequently  several  of  them  spring  from  the  same 
root.  The  small,  basal  leaves  are  usually  round  heart- 
shaped,  and  mostly  toothed,  with  long,  slender  stems. 
They  often  wither  before  the  flowers  are  ready  to  open. 
The  numerous,  long  upper  leaves,  which  are  seated  on 
the  stem,  are  very  narrow,  smooth  and  pointed.  Sev- 
eral pretty,  five-lobed,  bell-shaped,  hair-stemmed 
flowers  hang  downward  from  a  terminal  arrangement 
and  dangle  coyishly  on  the  swaying,  wind-tossed  stalk. 
Their  colour  varies  from  purplish  to  violet  blue.  Five 
slender  stamens  alternate  with  the  spreading  lobes  of 

370 


WILD   FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

the  corolla,  beyond  which  extends  the  greenish  white 
pistil.  The  green  calyx  has  five  narrow  parts.  The 
Hairbells  are  found  in  dry  or  moist,  rocky  cliffs  or  in 
meadows  and  uplands  generally  from  Labrador  to 
Alaska,  south  to  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Illinois 
and  Nebraska,  and  westward  in  the  mountains  to 
Arizona  and  California.     Also  in  Europe  and  Asia. 

GREAT,   OR   BLUE   LOBELIA. 

Lobelia  siphilttica.     Lobelia  Family. 

The  bright  blue  flowers  of  this  handsome  Lobelia  are 
found  commonly  in  low,  moist  or  wet  soil,  generally 
along  streams  from  July  to  October.  The  usually 
single  stalk  is  rather  stout,  very  leafy,  sparingly  hairy, 
and  grows  from  one  to  three  feet  high  from  short, 
perennial  offshoots.  The  thin,  light  green  leaves 
are  slightly  hairy,  oval  to  lance-shaped  and  irregularly 
toothed.  The  upper  ones  clasp  the  stalk  alternately. 
The  attractive  flowers  are  arranged  in  a  long,  dense, 
terminal,  leafy,  wand-like  spike,  and  the  stiff,  hairy, 
green  calyx  has  five  long,  slender  parts.  They  are 
formed  similar  to  those  of  the  Red  Lobelia,  but  the 
lobes  are  much  shorter,  and  the  stamen  tube  does  not 
stand  out  beyond  the  corolla.  They  are  found  from 
Maine  and  Ontario  to  Minnesota  and  Dakota,  and 
south  to  Georgia,  Louisiana  and  Kansas. 

PALE  SPIKED   LOBELIA 

Lohelta  spicata.     Lobelia  Family. 

The  very  slender,  erect,  wand-like  spikes  of  this 
pale-flowered  Lobelia  are  found   here  and   there  in 

371 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD    FLOWERS 

grassy  meadows  when  the  soil  is  dry  and  sandy,  from 
June  to  August.  The  perennial  or  biennial,  brittle 
leafy  stalk  is  minutely  hairy  below  and  is  noticeably 
twisted.  It  is  stained  with  red  inside  the  leaf  joints, 
and  grows  from  one  to  four  feet  high.  The  rather 
thick,  pale  green  leaves  are  often  irregularly  notched. 
The  short-stemmed  basal  ones  are  tufted,  and  are 
broad-oval  shaped,  with  very  blunt,  rounding  tips. 
The  upper  ones  clasp  the  stalk  alternatingly,  and  are 
oblong  or  lance-shaped,  and  smaller  and  more  acutely 
pointed.  The  small,  two-lipped,  pale  blue  flowers 
are  scattered  along  the  spike  for  some  distance. 
The  lower  lip  is  three-parted  with  two  white  swellings 
at  the  throat,  and  the  smaller  upper  lip  is  divided 
by  the  cleft  that  separates  the  tube  its  entire  length. 
The  parts  are  all  sharply  pointed  and  flaring.  The 
green  calyx  is  five-parted.  This  species  is  found  from 
North  Carolina,  Louisiana,  and  Arkansas  to  Canada. 

BROOK  LOBELIA 

Lobelia  Kalmii.     Lobelia  Family. 

This  is  a  small,  slender  species,  growing  only  from 
six  to  twenty  inches  high,  in  wet  meadows  and  on  wet 
banks,  where  it  increases  from  perennial  o£fshoots 
and  blossoms  from  July  to  September.  The  smooth, 
light  green  stalk  is  erect,  leafy  and  branching.  The 
leaf  is  very  narrow,  blunt-pointed,  and  nearly  toothless. 
The  upper  ones  clasp  the  stalk.  The  small,  light  blue 
flowers  are  arranged  in  sparse,  loose,  terminal  spikes. 
The  three  lobes  of  the  lower  lip  are  spotted  with  white 

372 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

at  the  throat.  The  upper  lip  has  two  upright  parts,  and 
the  stamens  peek  from  between  them.  This  Lobeha  is 
found  in  grassy  colonies  from  Nova  Scotia  to  New 
Jersey,  and  westward  to  Ohio,  Michigan  and  Manitoba. 

INDIAN  TOBACCO.     WILD  TOBACCO.     QAQ=ROOT. 
ASTHMA  WEED.      BLADDER=POD  LOBELIA 

Lobelia  inflata.     Lobelia  Family. 

This  very  common  annual  grows  from  one  to  three 
feet  high  along  roadsides  and  in  neglected  fields, 
and  blossoms  from  July  to  November,  All  parts  of 
this  Lobelia  are  medicinal,  and  Shakers  and  herb 
dealers  prepare  and  sell  it  in  oblong,  compressed  cakes. 
The  plant,  however,  is  considered  to  be  somewhat 
poisonous,  and  if  the  leaves  or  capsules  are  chewed 
for  a  short  time,  they  produce  a  sensation  of  giddi- 
ness, then  headache,  and  finally  nausea  and  vomiting. 
If  swallowed  it  produces  more  serious  results,  and  has 
been  known  to  have  caused  death.  The  Indians  are 
said  to  have  used  the  foliage  as  tobacco.  In  more 
modern  practice  it  has  been  employed  as  a  remedy  in 
various  affections  of  the  throat,  including  acute  attacks 
of  catarrh,  croup  and  asthma.  The  upright  stalk  is 
leafy,  often  slightly  hairy,  rather  stout  and  branching. 
The  thin  alternating  leaves  are  oval  or  oblong  in  shape, 
with  short- pointed  ends  and  toothed  margins.  The 
upper  ones  clasp  the  stalk  and  become  smaller  and 
narrower  as  they  approach  the  top.  The  flowers  are 
quite  small,  light  blue  in  colour,  and  are  set  on  tiny 
stems,  generally  in  the  axil  of  a  leaflet.    They  are  formed 

373 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD    FLOWERS 

much  the  same  as  those  of  the  Spiked  Lobelia,  and  are 
scattered  along  the  stalk,  forming  loose,  terminal 
spikes.  This  species  is  easily  distinguished  by  the 
prominent  inflated  seed  cases  which  succeed  the  flowers. 
The  Indian  Tobacco  is  found  in  dry,  open  soils  from 
Georgia,  Nebraska  and  Arkansas,  and  far  into  Canada, 

IRONWEED.      FLAT  TOP 

Vernonta  noveboracensts.    Thistle  Family. 

The  deep  purple,  Thistle-like  flowers  of  the  Ironweed 
enliven  our  roadsides  and  low  meadows  with  their 
intense  colouring  from  July  to  September.  The 
tall,  branching  stalk  is  smooth  or  rough,  and  grows 
from  three  to  nine  feet  in  height.  The  narrowly  oblong 
or  lance-shaped  and  pointed  leaves  are  alternating 
and  finely  toothed.  From  twenty  to  thirty  bell-shaped 
flowers  are  borne  on  short,  branched  stems,  and  form 
broad,  flat-topped  clusters.  The  small  bracts  of  the 
leafy,  brownish  purple  cup  are  tipped  with  spreading 
bristles.  The  feathery  flowers  are  often  mistaken 
for  those  of  an  Aster,  but  as  they  are  composed  entirely 
of  tubular  ray  florets  and  lack  the  central  yellow  disc 
florets  of  the  latter,  they  are  easily  distinguished. 
The  Ironweed  ranges  from  New  England  to  Georgia 
and  Mississippi,  and  west  to  Missouri  and  Minnesota. 

LARGE  BUTTON    SNAKEROOT.      GAY    FEATHER. 
BLUE   BLAZING  STAR. 

Liatris  squarrhsa.     Thisde  Family. 

The  showy,  bluish  purple  flowering  spikes  of  this 
tall,  beautiful  perennial,  blossom  with  the  Golden-rods 

374 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

and  Asters,  during  August  and  September.  The  hairy 
stem  grows  from  one  to  six  feet  high,  and  usually  in 
dry  soil.  The  alternating  deep  green  leaves  vary  in 
size  and  shape  as  they  ascend  the  stalk.  They  are  gen- 
erally narrowly  lance-shaped,  and  their  surface  is 
densely  covered  with  tiny  dots.  The  flower  heads  are 
semi-circular,  and  from  fifteen  to  forty-five  are  borne 
on  short  stems  in  a  long,  terminal,  wand-like  spike. 
They  are  composed  entirely  of  coloured  tubular  florets.- 
The  large  leafy  cup  has  five  or  six  rows  of  long,  bristly, 
purple-tipped  scales.  The  tuberous  root  has  been  used 
as  a  remedy  for  sore  throats,  and  also  as  a  cure  for 
rattlesnake  bite.  It  ranges  from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico 
to  Maine,  Ontario  and  Nebraska. 

THE  ASTERS 

The  Asters  or  Starworts  come  tripping  along  toward 
the  last  of  August,  with  the  Golden-rods,  and  continue 
throughout  September  and  most  of  October  in  such 
profusion  that  they  appear  to  completely  smother 
everything  with  their  beautiful  starry  flowers.  With- 
out the  Asters,  the  glorious  American  autumn  would 
lose  much  of  its  lovely  charm,  for  every  roadside,  fence- 
row,  field,  meadow  and  hillside  is  brilliantly  spangled 
with  their  scintillating  and  billowy  radiance,  and  I 
have  often  surmised  that  perhaps  Dame  Nature 
rehearsed  them  annually  for  a  grand  snow-scene  ta- 
bleau. Subject  to  great  variation,  big  and  little,  short 
and  tall,  dense  and  sparse,  ragged  and  tidy,  they 
become   highly   confusing,   and   it  takes  considerable 

375 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD    FLOWERS 

patience  and  experience  to  distinguish  a  majority  of  the 
two  hundred  and  fifty  species  existing  in  North  America. 
The  word  Aster  is  derived  from  the  Greek,  meaning 
star,  and  it  alludes  to  their  pretty  radiating  flower 
heads.  Asters  are  perennial,  mostly  branching,  and 
late-flowering  herbs  with  alternating  leaves.  They 
are  rarely  annual,  and  grow  from  six  inches  to  eight 
feet  in  height,  and  possess  Daisy-like  flowers  vary- 
ing in  size  from  one-eighth  of  an  inch  to  two  inches 
broad.  The  floral  heads  are  seldom  solitary,  and  are 
usually  arranged  in  terminal  groups  or  clusters  of  both 
tubular  and  radiate  flowers.  The  white,  pink,  purple, 
blue  or  violet  ray  flowers  are  pistillate.  The  tubular 
disc  flowers  are  perfect,  with  five-lobed  corollas,  usually 
yellow  and  changing  to  red,  brown  or  purple.  The 
fading  flower  usually  develops  tiny  whiskered  seeds, 
that  sail  hither  and  thither  with  the  wind,  much  after 
the  fashion  of  those  of  the  Dandelion.  The  coloured 
rayed  species  greatly  outnumber  the  white-rayed,  but 
the  latter  are  so  very  prolific  and  abundant  that  they 
do  not  appear  in  the  minority.  Some  species  have 
very  long  recurving  ray  flowers,  and  the  latter  are 
found  in  every  degree  of  length  down  to  one  species, 
A.  augustus,  which  has  the  corolla  of  its  ray  flowers 
reduced  to  a  mere  tube. 

LARQE=LEAVED  ASTER 

Aster  macrophyllus.     Thistle  Family. 

This  rather  coarse  and  extremely  variable  species 
has   a   stout,    simple,    purple-stained,    angular    stalk, 

376 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

which  grows  two  or  three  feet  high  from  a  long  root- 
stock.  The  basal  leaves  are  very  large.  They  are 
broadly  heart-shaped,  taper  to  a  sharp  point,  and  have 
toothed  margins.  They  have  long,  slender,  grooved 
and  often  sticky  stems.  These  very  noticeable  leaves 
are  set  three  or  four  together  near  the  ground,  and  com- 
monly form  large  mats  or  patches  —  a  means  by 
which  they  may  be  usually  identified.  The  upper 
leaves  become  suddenly  smaller  and  oblong  in  shape, 
with  short,  broadly  winged  stems,  the  topmost  ones 
finally  occurring  almost  stemless.  The  attractive  fiower 
heads  are  loosely  arranged  in  broad,  terminal  clusters, 
and  they  are  nearly  an  inch  across.  They  have  from 
twelve  to  sixteen  rays  of  various  shades  of  lilac,  laven- 
der or  violet,  and  their  yellow  disc  florets  turn  reddish 
brown  as  they  fade.  This  sweetly  scented  Aster  is 
common  in  well-drained  soils  in  open  woods  and 
thickets,  from  Canada  to  Minnesota,  and  North 
Carolina  during  August  and  September. 

LOW  SHOWY  ASTER.     SEASIDE   PURPLE    ASTER 

Aster  spectabilts.      Thistle  Family. 

A  very  pretty  member  of  the  family,  found  in  dry, 
sandy  soil,  along  the  coast,  from  Massachusetts  to 
Delaware,  during  August,  September  and  October, 
The  stiff,  coarse  stem  grows  only  one  or  two  feet  high, 
and  branches  slightly  at  the  top  to  accommodate  the 
flowers.  The  leaves  are  thick-textured,  and  mostly 
toothless.  The  lower  ones,  which  have  stems,  are  oval 
and  taper  acutely  toward  either  end.     The  upper  ones 

377 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD    FLOWERS 

are  narrow  and  lance-shaped,  and  are  set  directly  on  the 
stalk.  The  flower  heads  are  very  showy.  They  are 
an  inch  and  a  half  broad,  and  several  or  many  are  set 
on  the  tips  of  branchlets,  forming  a  rather  flat-topped 
arrangement.  The  disc  florets  are  yellow  centred,  and  are 
surrounded  with  from  fifteen  to  thirty  bright  violet  rays. 
They  are   set  in  partly  spreading,  sticky  green  cups. 

NEW   ENGLAND   ASTER 

Aster  novae-angliae.    Thistle  Family 

Here,  perhaps,  is  the  most  popular  and  the  most 
captivating  of  the  taller  Asters.  The  very  name 
of  this  familiar  and  delightfully  handsome  plant 
rings  true  with  the  Puritanic  comeliness  which  it  grace- 
fully diffuses.  Altogether,  it  is  one  of  those  happy  and 
pleasing  combinations  that  fairly  thrills  one  with  its 
pure,  wholesome  loveliness,  and  it  provokes  an  irre- 
sistible admiration  wherever  it  abounds.  Gardeners 
have  cultivated  this  Aster  successfully  in  England,  but, 
discontented  with  their  restraint  and  coddling,  it  has 
escaped  therefrom,  and  asserting  the  original  element 
of  freedom,  become  naturalized  in  adjacent  fields 
and  byways.  Then,  again,  it  has  a  cunning  knack 
of  closing  its  so-called  " petals"  or  rays  at  sunset, 

Like  the  tots  of  ancient  days 

Cuddling  up  from  sight, 
When  curfew  through  autumn's  haze 
Bade  them  nightie-night. 

This  showy  Starwort  raises  its  rough,  stout,  leafy 
and  branching  stalk  from  two  to  eight  feet  high.     The 

378 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

hairy,  lance-shaped  leaves  are  pointed  at  the  tip,  and 
heart-shaped  at  their  base,  where  they  snugly  clasp  the 
stalk.  They  are  toothless,  and  the  texture  is  thin. 
The  numerous  flower  heads  are  from  one  to  two  inches 
broad,  and  are  clustered  at  the  ends  of  the  branches. 
From  thirty  to  forty  narrow  rays,  varying  in  colour 
from  light  violet  to  rich  purple,  or  rarely  white, 
surround  the  perfect  five-lobed,  tubular,  yellow, 
purple-stained  disc  florets,  which  are  set  in  a  large, 
sticky  green  cup.  This  beautiful  Aster  is  commonly 
found  in  rich  fields  and  along  swamps  from  Quebec 
to  the  Northwest  Territory,  and  south  to  South 
Carolina,  Missouri,  Kansas  and  Colorado,  during 
August,    September   and    October. 

LATE   PURPLE  ASTER.      PURPLE   DAISY 

Aster  patens.     Thistle  Family 

One  of  our  most  attractive,  early  flowering  and  com- 
mon blue  Asters,  frequenting  dry,  open  places  from 
August  to  October,  and  ranging  from  Maine  and  Min- 
nesota to  Florida,  Louisiana,  and  Texas.  The  slen- 
der leafy  stalk  is  rough  and  widely  branching.  It 
grows  from  one  to  three  feet  high,  and  is  often  stained 
with  purple.  The  long,  lance-shaped  leaves  are  rather 
thick  and  rigid,  and  they  are  decidedly  heart-shaped 
at  the  base  where  they  partly  clasp  the  stalk.  Their 
margins  and  upper  surfaces  are  rough.  The  soli- 
tary flowers  are  an  inch  or  more  broad,  and  they  crown 
the  tips  of  the  spreading  branches.  Twenty  or  thirty 
showy  rays  of  a  deep  rich  violet  surround  the  yellow, 

379 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD   FLOWERS 

purple-stained  centre  of  disc  flowers  which  are  set  in 
pleasing  green  cups  of  overlapping  parts.  The  rays 
close  inward  with  recurved  tips  at  night,  and  when 
they  finally  fade,  they  assume  the  same  position,  and 
incidentally  give  an  untidy  appearance  to  the  other- 
wise neat  and  trim  flowering  top. 

WAVY-LEAF,   OR  VARIOUS=LEAVED  ASTER. 
SMALL   FLEABANE 

Aster  undulatus.      Thistle  Family. 

A  stiff,  slender  and  very  rough  stalk  is  possessed 
by  this  species,  and  it  grows  from  one  to  three  and  a  half 
feet  high,  with  a  spreading  top.  The  leaves  are 
noticeably  thick-textured,  rough-surfaced  above,  and 
downy  on  the  under  side.  They  are  somewhat  egg- 
shaped,  with  a  tapering  tip  and  have  wavy  or  slightly 
toothed  margins.  The  lower  leaves  are  heart-shaped, 
and  have  long,  slender,  margined  stems.  Those 
above  taper  abruptly  into  shorter,  broadened  stems, 
which  are  widely  flared,  with  conspicuous  wings  as 
they  clasp  the  stalk,  and  this  is  an  easy  route  to  its 
identity.  The  topmost  leaves  become  much  smaller 
stemless,  toothless  and  more  lance-shaped,  and  they 
often  clasp  the  stalk  with  a  heart-shaped  base.  The 
flowers  average  less  than  an  inch  broad,  and  have 
from  eight  to  fifteen  rays  varying  in  colour  from  pale 
blue  to  violet.  The  pale  yellow  disc  florets  fade  to 
brown.  The  numerous  flower  heads  generally  form  a 
loose  terminal  cluster,  but  are  often  set  one-sided  on 
the  spreading,  swaying  branches.     They  are  common 

380 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

enough  in  dry  copses,  from  New  Brunswick  and  Ontario 
to  Florida,  Alabama  and  Arkansas,  during  August, 
September  and  October. 

COMMON    BLUE  WOOD  ASTER 

Aster  cordifolius.      Thistle  Family. 

This  is  a  very  handsome,  spreading,  bushy  and 
small-flowered  Aster,  growing  from  one  to  five  feet 
high,  in  partly  shaded  woods,  roadsides,  thickets  and 
on  dry  banks  from  early  August  until  the  frost  and 
snow  finally  obliterate  them.  The  slender,  leafy  stalk 
is  almost  smooth,  much-branched  and  often  stained 
with  purple.  The  thin-textured,  sharply  toothed 
leaves  have  a  rough  surface,  and  on  the  under  side, 
the  more  prominent  veins  are  lightly  covered  with  fine 
hairs.  They  are  decidedly  heart-shaped,  taper  to  a 
slender  point,  and  are  set  on  slender  stems.  As  they 
ascend  the  stalk,  the  leaves  become  shorter-stemmed 
and  are  egg-shaped  or  lance-shaped  in  outline.  From 
ten  to  twenty  delicately  coloured  rays  surround  the 
dark  centre  of  the  flower  heads,  which  are  densely 
clustered  like  little  handfuls  of  confetti,  toward  the  lips 
of  the  numerous  branches.  This  is  one  of  our  com- 
monest Asters,  and  ranges  from  New  Brunswick  to 
Minnesota,  Georgia  and  Missouri. 

SMOOTH   ASTER 

Aster  laevis.      Thistle  Family. 

A  variable  but  most  elegant  Aster  everywhere  com- 
mon in  dry  soil  along  roadsides  and  in  open  woods, 

381 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD    FLOWERS 

during  August,  September  and  October.  The  rather 
stout  stem  rises  from  two  to  four  feet  in  height,  and 
is  either  branched  or  simple.  The  thick-textured, 
long-oval,  light  green  leaves  are  sometimes  toothed. 
The  upper  ones  are  usually  heart-shaped  and  clasp 
the  stalk,  while  the  lower  ones  taper  into  winged  stems. 
The  rays  of  the  flower  head  number  from  fifteen  to 
thirty,  and  are  of  a  beautiful  shade  of  blue  or  violet, 
rarely  white.  They  are  set  around  a  yellow  centre  of 
disc  florets.  The  heads  are  an  inch  broad,  and  they 
are  closely  set  in  a  lovely  terminal  cluster.  The 
Smooth  Aster  ranges  from  Maine  and  Ontario  to 
Missouri,  Pennsylvania  and  Louisiana. 

NEW    YORK  ASTER 

Aster  novi-belgti.    Thistle  Family. 

One  of  the  very  commonest  of  the  late-flowering 
Asters  of  the  Atlantic  States,  and  also  an  extremely 
variable  species.  The  slender  stalk  is  usually  much 
branched,  generally  smooth,  and  grows  from  one  to 
three  feet  high.  The  long,  smooth  thin-textured, 
narrow  leaves  taper  gradually  to  a  slender  point,  with 
entire  or  slightly  toothed  margins.  The  upper  ones 
partly  clasp  the  stalk,  and  are  somewhat  heart-shaped. 
The  lowest  ones  have  stems.  The  numerous  flower 
heads  are  an  inch  or  so  broad,  and  are  loosely  grouped 
in  a  somewhat  fiat-topped  arrangement.  From  fif- 
teen to  twenty-five  light  blue  or  violet,  or  rarely  white, 
rays  surround  the  yellow  centre.  The  New  York 
Aster  is  found  in  swamps,  chiefly  near  the  coast,  from 

382 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

Newfoundland  to  Maine  and  Georgia,  during  August, 
September  and  October.  There  are  a  number  of 
varieties  of  this  species  several  of  which  have  been 
described,  but  as  they  are  still  more  or  less  confused, 
they  have  been  disregarded  in  this  description, 

RED-STALK.     PURPLE-STEM,  OR  EARLY  PURPLE 
ASTER.     SWANWEED.     COCASH. 
MEADOW  SCABISH 

Aster  pumceus.     Thistle  Family. 

A  variable,  tall,  stout,  rough-hairy  and  generally 
purple-stemmed  species,  commonly  found  in  low, 
moist  thickets  and  swampy  places  from  July  to  Novem- 
ber. It  rises  from  three  to  eight  feet,  and  branches 
widely  at  the  top.  The  long,  oval  or  lance-shaped 
leaves  have  a  tapering  point,  and  clasp  the  stalk  with 
a  broad  or  narrow,  heart-shaped  base.  The  mar- 
gins are  regularly  and  coarsely  toothed,  or  sparingly 
so,  in  the  middle.  The  upper  surface  is  very  rough, 
and  the  under  side  of  the  midrib  is  hairy.  The  numer- 
ous flower  heads  are  from  one-half  to  one  and  one-half 
inches  broad.  From  twenty  to  forty  long,  narrow, 
showy  lilac-blue  or  white  rays  surround  the  yellow, 
tubular  disc  florets,  which  are  prettily  set  in  a  loose, 
spreading,  green  cup.  They  are  profusely  arranged 
in  terminal  clusters  on  the  tips  of  the  branches, 
and  are  very  attractive.  This  is  one  of  the  very 
earliest-blooming  of  the  Aster  group,  and  is  found 
almost    everywhere    from    Nova    Scotia   to   Western 

3^Z 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD    FLOWERS 

Ontario    and   Minnesota,   south    to    North    CaroHna, 
Ohio  and  Michigan, 

ROBIN'S    PLANTAIN.     POOR   ROBIN'S  PLANTAIN. 

ROSE   PETTY.      ROBERT'S  PLANTAIN. 

BLUE  SPRING   DAISY 

Erigeron  pulchellus.     Thistle  Family. 

The  Blue  Spring  Daisy  would  seem  to  be  a  sort  of 
favourite  name  for  this  earliest  of  the  Aster  or  Daisy- 
like flowers.  It  is  found  in  the  grass  in  damp  fields  and 
on  hillsides  or  banks  along  woodland  borders,  where 
the  direct  sunlight  is  broken  into  shaded  spots.  It 
flourishes  in  scattered  communities,  and  blooming  as 
it  does,  from  April  through  June,  it  is  not  likely  to  be 
confused  with  any  of  the  later-flowering  Asters,  which 
it  strongly  suggests.  One  can  tell  this  species  from  an 
Aster  by  its  hairy  surface,  and  also  by  the  rosette  of 
basal  leaves  —  noticeable  characteristics  which  the 
Asters  do  not  possess.  It  is  a  perennial,  and  may  be 
found  in  the  same  locality  year  after  year,  where  it 
increases  by  stolens  and  offsets.  The  singular,  hairy, 
light  green  stalk  is  thick  and  juicy,  and  rises  from  ten  to 
twenty  inches  high,  from  a  rosette  of  leaves.  It  is 
hollow,  grooved  and  sparingly  leafy.  The  flowers 
are  rather  large  and  pleasing,  and  several  of  them  are 
borne  in  a  terminal  flat-topped  cluster.  They  are 
Daisy-like  in  design,  with  a  bright  yellow  centre  of 
many  small  disc  florets,  surrounded  with  a  finely  cut 
fringe  of  ray  flowers  of  a  light  bluish  purple.  The 
latter  colour  varies  greatly,  and  oft§n  it  is  faded  white. 

384 


PURPLE  STEM  ASTER.      A  ter   puniceus 


M 

J 

^^^^^L  '^A.  •  \  fc^p -^   ^^H^^^^^^^^^^^l 

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p^t^Sk^C^I 

f- 

^^^■u^^^^S^H^j^^^^^b^  ^3^^^l 

CHICORY.     BLUE  SyULORS.     Cichorium  Intybus 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

They  are  set  in  a  green  cup.  The  long,  narrow  and 
partly  clasping  leaf  is  hairy,  and  tapers  toward  the 
point.  The  midrib  is  prominent,  and  shows  a  lighter 
shade  than  the  leaf.  The  margin  is  entire,  and  spar- 
ingly notched.  They  are  arranged  alternately,  and  so 
infrequent  as  to  give  the  stem  a  generally  naked  appear- 
ance. The  basal  leaves  are  tufted  and  narrow  into 
short,  margined  peticles  or  stems.  Erigeron  is  Greek, 
signifying  old  man  in  the  spring,  alluding  to  the 
whitish  hairs  with  which  the  plant  is  covered. 
While  the  long  stalk  looks  stiff  and  is  erect,  the 
flowers  have  a  certain  refinedness  that  is  becoming  and 
graceful.  The  species  is  found  from  Nova  Scotia  to  On- 
tario and  Minnesota,  south  to  Florida  and  Louisiana. 

THE  THISTLES 

Many  a  happy-go-lucky  barefoot  lad  has  knit  his 
brows  and  bulged  his  cheek  with  his  tongue,  or  whistled 
while  he  danced  on  one  foot  and  held  the  other,  after 
treading  on  a  prickly  tuft  of  Thistle  leaves  along  the 
way  to  or  from  his  favourite  swimming  hole.  That 
is  the  way  he  learned  to  know  the  Thistle  and  to  respect 
it.  Can  this  be  the  true  story  of  how  the  Scotch  learned 
to  dance  the  Highland  fling  ?  One  night,  a  long  time 
ago,  a  barefoot  Dane  experienced  the  same  sensa- 
tion and  startled  a  Scotch  sentinel,  who  saved  his 
sleeping  comrades  from  annihilation.  This  incident 
caused  the  patriotic  Scots  to  adopt  the  Thistle  as  their 
national  emblem.  In  Scotland  it  is  truly  "a  thing  of 
beauty  and  a  joy  forever,"  but  the  American  farmer 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD   FLOWERS 

never  saw  it  that  way.  Because  it  threatened  his  hay 
fields,  laws  have  been  enacted  in  some  states  for  its 
speedy  extermination.  Notwithstanding  their  con- 
demnable  qualities,  they  are  really  one  of  the  hand- 
somest ornamental  plants  that  have  come  to  our  shores. 
They  are  especially  attractive  and  conspicuous  in  our 
meadows  and  pastures,  because  cattle  and  horses 
studiously  avoid  them  and  graze  all  around  them, 
and  bees  and  butterflies  are  always  hovering  delight- 
fully about  them.  Some  of  the  species  have  been  used 
as  a  remedy  for  swelled  veins.  They  were  held  at  one 
time  to  be  a  sure  cure  for  the  ''blues,"  and  to  dream 
of  Thistles  was  considered  an  omen  of  good  luck. 
Silly  lassies  of  olden  days,  who  desired  to  anticipate 
their  lover's  sincerity,  did  so  by  placing  trimmed 
Thistles  under  their  pillows  at  night,  and  noting  cer- 
tain changes  in  them  the  following  morning. 

COMMON,   BUR    OR  SPEAR  THISTLE 

Cirsium  lanceolatum.      Thisde  Family. 

A  large,  biennial  species,  with  its  round,  branching 
stalk  growing  from  three  to  five  feet  high.  It  is  very 
leafy,  and  is  covered  with  a  fine  whitish  wool.  The 
long,  dark  green,  lance-shaped  leaves  have  a  long, 
tapering  point,  and  their  margins  are  deeply,  irre- 
gularly and  fantastically  cut,  each  projection  being 
tipped  with  a  long,  stiff,  and  exceedingly  sharp,  needle- 
like point  that  terminates  its  midrib,  and  which  easily 
pierces  the  skin  upon  the  slightest  provocation.  The 
upper  surface  is  rough  and  prickly,  and  the  under  side 

386 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

is  felted  with  whitish,  cobwebby  hairs.  The  leaves 
clasp  the  stalk  alternately  and  hug  it  closely  for  a  dis- 
tance, then  spring  away  with  an  upward  flare.  The 
lobes  are  curling,  and  the  texture  is  tough.  The  beau- 
tiful flowering  heads  are  usually  solitary,  and  are  borne 
on  the  ends  of  the  branches.  Numerous  small, 
sweetly  scented,  tubular,  purple  florets  are  gathered 
into  a  large,  soft,  spreading  and  rounding  head  above 
the  green,  egg-shaped  cup.  The  latter  is  covered  with 
many  long,  sharp,  white,  spreading  prickles.  The 
flowers  are  succeeded  by  a  fluffy,  silky  plume.  This 
Thistle  is  found  in  fields  and  along  roadsides  from 
July  to  November,  from  Newfoundland  to  Georgia, 
west  to  Minnesota,  Nebraska  and  Missouri.  Also  in 
Europe  and  Asia. 

PASTURE  THISTLE.      FRAGRANT  THISTLE 

Cirstum  ptimilum.    Thisde  Family. 

This  is  the  largest-flowered  Thistle  we  have.  Com- 
pared with  the  Common  Thistle,  it  grows  less  tall,  is 
more  fragrant,  is  not  so  leafy,  the  more  numerous 
spires  are  shorter,  and  its  range  is  more  restricted. 
The  leaves  are  narrowed  and  do  not  adhere  so  closely 
to  the  stouter  and  less  branching  stalk.  The  latter 
is  more  or  less  hairy,  and  grows  from  one  to  three  feet 
high  from  thick,  branched,  solid  roots.  The  stem 
leaves  are  green  on  both  sides.  They  are  long,  lance- 
shaped  in  outline,  and  clasp  the  stalk  alternatingly. 
They  are  cut  into  short,  triangular,  very  prickery, 
margined  lobes,  that  are  more  or  less  fluted.     The 

387 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD   FLOWERS 

midrib  is  strong,  and  the  texture  is  firm.  The  great, 
fluffy  flower  head  is  more  rounding  and  spreading  than 
the  Common  Thistle.  The  purple  colouring  is  softer 
and  lighter  in  tone,  and  the  large  green  cup  is  thickly 
covered  with  short  prickers.  Several  small  leaflets 
are  set  close  to  the  base  of  the  cup.  One,  two,  or  three 
flowers  are  set  on  the  end  of  the  stalk  and  branches, 
and  as  the  seed  ripens,  the  head  becomes  a  lovely  ball 
of  silky  fluff.  This  Thistle  is  found  in  dry  pastures 
and  fields,  from  Maine  to  Pennsylvania,  and  Delaware, 
from  July  to  September. 

CANADA  THISTLE.     CREEPING,  CURSED, 
WAY,  CORN,   OR   HARD  THISTLE 

Cirsium  arvense.     Thistle  Family. 

The  Canada  Thistle  has  been  severely  condemned 
by  farmers  in  this  country  because  of  its  rapid  spread 
and  the  extreme  difficulty  with  which  its  creeping  roots 
are  eradicated  from  the  soil.  It  grows  in  extensive 
colonies,  and  quickly  monopolizes  our  fertile  meadows 
and  pasture  lands.  The  slender,  leafy  stalk  is  grooved 
and  branching  at  the  top,  and  grows  from  one  to  three 
feet  high,  from  a  perennial  creeping  rootstalk.  The 
long,  lance-shaped  leaf  is  deeply  cut  into  very  prickly 
lobed  or  coarsely  toothed  segments,  which  bristle  with 
many  prickers,  as  they  become  curled  or  ruffled. 
The  colour  is  grayish  green,  and  the  midrib  is  whitish. 
They  slightly  clasp  the  stalk,  and  the  lower  ones  are 
stemmed.  The  numerous  small,  purple  or  whitish 
flower  heads  are  loosely  clustered  on  the  tips  of  the 

388 


WILD  FLOWERS  blue  and  purple 

branches.  Many  tubular  florets  with  prominent  pur- 
ple stamens  and  white  pistils  compose  the  head. 
The  latter  is  set  in  an  egg-shaped,  grayish  green 
cup,  which  is  covered  with  short,  weak  prickers.  The 
flowers  are  fragrant  and  pleasing,  but  after  they  mature 
they  become  anything  but  sightly.  This  species  is 
very  common  in  cultivated  fields  and  pastures  and 
along  roadsides  from  Newfoundland  to  Virginia, 
Minnesota  and  Nebraska,  from  July  to  September. 

CHICORY.     SUCCORY.     BLUE  SAILORS 

Cichorium  Intybus.     Chicory  Family. 

In  grassy  fields  that  slope  to  the  sea,  you  may  be 
sure  to  find  the  beautiful,  pale  blue  flowered  Chicory 
at  its  best.  It  fairly  continues  the  colour  scheme  of 
sky  and  water,  and  on  bright,  sunshiny  mornings, 
when  everything  is  still  sparkling  with  dew,  it  lends 
a  rare  and  irresistible  fascination  to  the  scene.  And 
like  most  lovely  flowers,  it  seems  to  inspire  the 
beholder  with  a  keen  sense  of  gratitude  and  reverence 
for  the  glorious  privilege  of  living  with  it,  which, 
in  this  work-a-day  world,  is  altogether  too  often 
obscured  by  those  who  allow  themselves  to  become 
unnecessarily  house  bound.  Chicory,  however,  is 
probably  better  known  as  a  substitute  or  an  adulterant 
for  coffee,  to  which  it  is  added  to  give  colour  and  body. 
The  leaves,  when  young  and  tender,  make  an  excel- 
lent salad,  which  is  much  in  favour  in  France.  They 
are  also  used  as  a  pot  herb.  The  smaller  roots  are 
occasionally  boiled,  and  served  like  carrots  and  pars- 

389 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  WILD   FLOWERS 

nips.  Chicory  was  extensively  used  as  a  food  by  the 
ancient  Egyptians,  and  it  was  known  to  Virgil  and 
Horace  nearly  two  thousand  years  ago.  It  is  an  erect, 
branching,  perennial  herb,  with  a  long,  deep,  fleshy 
tap-root,  and  grows  from  one  to  three  feet  high.  The 
large,  rigid,  angular  stalk  is  grooved,  hairy,  and  rather 
scrawly.  The  basal  leaves  slightly  resemble  those  of  the 
Dandelion  or  Thistle,  to  which  the  plant  is  related. 
They  are  sharply  cut,  and  are  narrowed  into  long  stems 
and  spread  along  the  ground.  The  upper  ones  are  very 
much  smaller,  lance-shaped  or  oblong,  lobed  and  en- 
tire, and  clasp  the  stalk.  The  very  exquisite,  showy, 
wheel-like  blossoms  are  of  a  delicate,  bright  grayish 
blue,  rarely  white,  or  sometimes  tinged  with  purple, 
and  are  scattered  along  the  nearly  naked  stalk,  at 
short  intervals,  in  twos  or  threes,  for  a  considerable 
portion  of  its  length.  They  are  set  closely  and  ver- 
tically against  the  stalk,  amid  several  short,  spreading 
leaflets,  or  occasionally  they  terminate  short,  stout, 
branch-like  stems.  The  florets  are  strap-shaped  rays 
with  noticeable  square,  ragged,  five-toothed  ends, 
and  are  arranged  in  several  spreading  circles  which 
radiate  from  a  flat,  leafy  green  cup.  The  arrow- 
shaped  anthers  are  loosely  clustered  toward  the  centre 
of  the  head.  The  flowers  have  a  very  faint  odour,  and 
the  green  buds  are  tinted  with  purple.  They  open 
only  in  the  sunshine,  and  close  at  the  noon  hour. 
They  blossom  from  July  to  October,  in  fields  and 
along  roadsides,  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Minnesota, 
North  Carolina,  Nebraska  and  Missouri. 

39° 


GLOSSARY  AND  INDEXES 

I 

Glossary  of  Botanical  Terms 

II 

Index  to  Latin  Names 

III 

Index  to  Common  Names 


391 


GLOSSARY  OF  BOTANICAL  TERMS 


Acute.  —  Sharp-pointed. 

Alternate.  —  Not  opposite  or  paired, 

but  arranged  singly  at  different 

heights    on    either    side    of    the 

stems. 
Annual.  —  Of  one  year's  duration. 
Anther.  —  That  part  of  the  stamen 

which  contains  the  pollen. 
Apetalous.  —  Without  petals,  like  the 

Anemone.     Secondary     flowers. 
Apex.  —  The  outer  tip  of  a  leaf  or 

petal. 
Axil.  —  The  angle  formed  by  a  leaf 

or  branch  with  the  stem. 

Basal.  —  Rosettes  or  tufts  of  leaves 
clustered  near  the  ground. 

Bearded.  —  Bearing  tufts  of  hairs. 

Biennial.  —  Of  two  years'  duration. 
Usually  flowering  and  fruiting 
the  second  year  only,  and  then 
perishing. 

Bract.  —  A  small,  modified  leaf  at  the 
base  of,  or  upon  the  flower  stem. 

Bractlet.  —  A  secondary  bract,  usu- 
ally upon  the  stem  of  a  flower. 

Bulb.  —  An  underground  leaf-bud 
with  fleshy  scales. 

Bulbous.  —  Having  the  character  of 
a  bulb. 

Calyx.  —  The  outer  lower  set  of 
leaves  at  the  base  of  the  flower. 
Usually  green,  and  sometimes 
brightly  coloured.  In  some 
instances  acting  in  the  place 
of  petals. 

Carpel.  —  A  simple  pistil  or  a  sin- 
gle part  of  a  compound  pistil. 

Chlorophyll.  —  The  green  colour- 
ing matter  of  plants. 


Cleistogamous.  —  Small,  inconspic- 
uous flowers  which  never  open 
but  fertilize  themselves  in  the 
bud,  and  usually  grow  near 
the  ground. 

Composite.  —  A  floral  head  composed 
of  few  or  many  florets  gathered 
in  a  dense  head  like  the  Daisy, 
Clover,  and  Dandelion. 

Compound.  —  Composed  of  two  or 
more  similar  parts  united  into 
a  whole.  Compound  leaf,  is  one 
divided   into  separate  leaflets. 

Corm.  —  A  solid,  fleshy,  bulb-like 
enlargement  at  the  base  of  the 
stem. 

Corolla.  —  The  flower  leaves  stand- 
ing next  within  and  above  the 
calyx. 

Cross-fertilization.  —  Is  produced  by 
the  pollen,  which  has  been  trans- 
ferred from  the  anther  of  one 
flower  to  the  stigma  of  another, 
by  bees,  moths,  butterflies, 
insects,  and  the  wind. 

Deciduous.  —  Not  evergreen.  Fall- 
ing away. 

Defexed. —  Bent  or  turned  sharply 
or  abruptly  downward. 

Disc  Flowers.  —  The  tubular  florets 
composing  the  central  "button" 
of  an  Aster  or  similar  com- 
posite flower,  and  usually  sur- 
rounded with  a  circle  of  ray 
flowers. 

Entire.  —  Without  toothing  or  divi- 
sion. 

Evergreen.  —  Bearing  green  leaves 
throughout  the  year. 


393 


GLOSSARY 


WILD  FLOWERS 


Fertile.  —  Fruit-producing  flowers,  as 
one  having  a  pistil,  or  anthers 
with  pollen.    Bearing  »eeds. 

Fibrous.  —  Threadlike. 

Filament.  —  The  threadlike  part  of 
a  stamen,  which  supports  the 
anther. 

Fertilization.  —  A  process  \vhereby 
the  tiny  pollen  grains,  which 
come  in  contact  with  the  stigma 
penetrates  the  style  and  enters 
the  ovary,  where  it  quickens 
the  seed  formation  into  life. 

Floret.  —  A  small  flower,  usually 
one  of  the  ray  or  disc  flowers 
of  the  Composite  family. 

Head.  —  A  dense  cluster  of  stemless 
or  nearly  stemless  flowers  like 
a    Daisy    or    Clover. 

Hybrid.  —  A  cross-breed  of  two 
species. 

Imperfect.  —  Flowers      with      either 

stamens    or     pistils,    not    with 

both. 
Introduced.  —  Brought     intentionally 

from  another  region. 
Irregular.  —  Showing     inequality  in 

the   size,  form  or  union  of   its 

similar  parts. 

Keeled.  —  Ridged  like  the  keel  of 
a  boat.  Applied  to  the  two 
united  lower  petals  of  the 
peculiar  corolla  of  the  blos- 
soms of  the  Pea  family. 

Lance-shaped.  —  Much  longer  than 
wide,  broadest  above  the  base, 
and  narrowest  to  the  apex. 

Leafet.  —  A  separate  or  single  divi- 
sion of  a  compound  leaf,  or  a 
tiny  leaf  or  bract. 

Lip.  —  The  prominent  upper  petal 
of  orchids  (which  by  a  pecu- 
liar twist  appears  as  the  lower) 
or  the  divisions  of  the  two- 
parted  flowers  of  the  Mints. 


Lobe.  —  The  rounded  segments  of 
any  part  of  flower  or  leaf. 

Margin.  —  The   edge   or   outline   of 

a  leaf  or   petal. 
Midrib.  —  The  central  or  main  rib 

of  a  leaf. 

Naturalized.  —  Plants  not  native  to 
the  region  but  so  firmly  estab- 
lished as  to  have  become  part 
of  the  flora. 

Nectar.  —  A  sweetish  fluid  contained 
in  some  parts  of  a  flower. 

Oblique.  —  Slanting. 

Oblong.  —  Longer  than  broad,  with 

nearly     parallel     or     somewhat 

curving  sides. 
Ovary.  —  Lower    part    of    a    pistil, 

which  bears  seeds. 
Ovate.  —  Egg  -  shaped,      with      the 

broadest  end  toward  the  stem. 

Papilionaceous.  —  Having  a  winged 
corolla  somewhat  resembling 
a  butterfly,  and  peculiar  to  the 
flowers  of  the  Pea  family. 

Palate.  —  A  round  projection  of 
the  lower  lip  of  a  two-lipped 
flower,  closing  the  throat. 

Parasitic. —  Growing  upon  and  deriv- 
ing nourishment  from  another 
plant. 

Perennial.  —  Lasting  year  after  year. 

Perfect  fower.  —  One  having  both 
pistil  and  stamens. 

Petal.  —  A   division   of   the   corolla. 

Petiole.  —  The  stalk  of  a  leaf. 

Pistil.  —  The  central  and  seed- 
bearing  organ  of  a  flower,  con- 
sisting of  the  ovary,  stigma 
and  style  when  present. 

Pistillate.  —  Having  pistils,  but  no 
stamens.     Female     flowers. 

Pollen.  —  The  yellow  fertilizing 
powder  contained  in  the  anther. 

Polygamous.  —  Bearing  both  per- 
fect and  imperfect  flowers. 


394 


WILD  FLOWERS 


GLOSSARY 


Radiate.  —  Spreading  from  or  ar- 
ranged around  a  common  cen- 
tre.    Bearing  ray  flowers. 

Ray.  —  The  outer  florets  of  a  Daisy- 
like flower. 

Recurved.  —  Curved  downward  or 
backward. 

Reftexed.  —  Sharply  bent  or  curved 
downward. 

Rib.  —  The  prominent  vein  of  a  leaf. 

Root.  —  The  underground  part  of 
a  plant  supplying  nourishment. 

Rootstock.  —  A  creeping,  horizontal, 
underground  stem  rooting  at 
the  joints,  and  becoming  erect 
at  the  apex. 

Runner.  —  A    very    slender    stolen. 

Scape.  —  A  leafless,  or  nearly  leaf- 
less flower  stalk  rising  from  the 
ground. 

Saprophyte.  —  A  plant  which  grows 
on  dead  organic  matter. 

Secund.  —  Borne  along  one  side  of  a 
stem. 

Segment.  —  One  of  the  parts  of  a 
leaf  or  other  like  organ  that  is 
cleft  or  divided. 

Sepal.  —  A  division  of  the  Calyx. 

Sheath.  —  A  tubular  covering,  as  the 
lower  part  of  the  leaves  in 
grasses. 

Spadix.  —  A  fleshy  spike  enveloped 
by  a  spathe  as  in  the  Cala  Lily 
and    Jack-in-the-Pulpit. 

Spathe.  —  A  large,  leaflike  bract 
or  pair  of  bracts  enclosing  a 
flower  or  spadix. 

Spike.  —  An  elongated,  closely  set 
flower-duster. 

Spur.  —  A  hollow,  sac-like  or  tubu- 
lar extension  of  some  part  of  a 
blossom,  usually  nectar-bear- 
ing. 

Stalk.  —  Herein  used  to  designate 
the  main  ascending  part  of 
a  plant. 

Stamen.  —  One  of  the  pollen-bear- 
ing organs  of  a  flower. 


Staminate.  —  Flowers  which  bear 
stamens  but  no  pistils.  Male 
flowers. 

Stem.  —  Herein  used  to  designate 
the  connecting  parts  between 
the  stalk  and  the  leaves  and 
flowers. 

Sterile.  —  Unproductive,  as  a  flower 
without  a  pistil,  or  stamen 
without  an  anther. 

Stigma.  —  The  tip  or  side  of  a  pistil 
through  which  the  pollen  is 
received,  by  means  of  tiny 
tubes  which  penetrate  the  style 
and  convey  the  minute  grains 
to  fertilize  the  seeds  within 
the  ovary. 

Stipule.  —  A  tiny  leaflet  borne  at 
the  base  of  a  petiole. 

Stolen.  —  A  basal  runner  or  root- 
ing branch. 

Style.  —  The  usually  slender  part 
of  a  pistil  connecting  the  stigma 
and  the  ovary. 

Terminal.  —  Borne  at  the  summit 
of  the  stem. 

Tuber.  —  A  short  and  thick  under- 
ground branch  having  many 
eyes  like  a  potato. 

Tufted.  —  Growing  in  clusters  or 
clumps. 

Umbel.  —  A  terminal,  floral  arrange- 
ment in  which  the  stems  of  a 
cluster  spring  from  the  same 
point  like  the  ribs  of  an  um- 
brella. 

Veins.  —  The  finer,  threadlike 
branching  parts  in  the  fibre  or 
tissue  in  a  leaf  or  other  organ. 

Venation.  —  The  arrangement  of 
the  veins. 

Whorl.  —  An  arrangement  of  leaves 
in  a  circle  around  the  stem. 

Winged.  —  Having  a  thin  expan- 
sion or  extension  on  either  side 
of  the  stem. 


395 


II 


INDEX  TO  LATIN  NAMES 


Achillea  Millefolium,  310 
Acorus  Calamus,  95 
Actaea  alba,  241 
Actaea  rubra,  243 
Aecidium,  124 
Agrimonia  gryposepala,  136 
Agrostemma  Githago,  35 
Aletris  farinosa,  212 
Althaea  officinalis,  62 
Amphicarpa  monoica,  336 
Anagallis  arvensis,  19 
Anaphalis  margaritacea,  308 
Anemone  quinquefolia,  233 
Anemone  virginiana,  235 
Anemonella  thalictroides,23i 
Antennaria  plantaginifolia,309 
Anthemis  Cotula,  312 
Apios  tuberosa,  17 
Apocynum  androsaemifolium,  75 
Apocynum  cannabinum,  293 
Aquilegia  brevistyla,  14 
Aquilegia  canadensis,  10 
Aralia  nudicaulis,  277 
Aralia  racemosa,  276 
Arctium  Lappa,  91 
Arctium  minus,  90 
Arethusa  bulbosa,  34 
Arisaema  triphyllum,  3 
Asarum  canadense,8 
Asclepiadaceae,  76 
Asclepias  incarnata,78 
Asclepias  phytolaccoides,8i 
Asclepias  purpurascens,  78 
Asclepias  quadrifolia,82 
Asclepias  syriaca,79 
Asclepias  tuberosa,  159 


Asclepias  verticillata,  293 
Aster  acuminatus,  306 
Aster  cordif  olius,  38 1 
Aster  divaricatus,  303 
Aster  ericoides,  304 
Aster  laevis,  381 
Aster  macrophyllus,  376 
Aster  multiflorus,  305 
Aster  novae-angliae,  378 
Aster  novi-belgii,  382 
Aster  patens,  379 
Aster  puniceus,  383 
Aster  spectabilis,  377 
Aster  undulatus,  380 

Baptisiatinctoria,  138 
Barbarea  vulgaris,  132 
Berberis  canadensis,  126 
Berberis  vulgaris,  123 
Betonica  officinalis,  22 
Bidensfrondosa,  187 
Brassica  alba,  129 
Brassica  arvensis,  129 
Brassica  nigra,  130 

Caltha  palustris,  121 
Calopogon  pulchellus,  33 
Campanula  rotundifolia,  370 
Capsella  Bursa-pastoris,25o 
Cassia  marilandica,  137 
Cassia  nictitans,  138 
Castalia  odorata,  224 
Castilleja  coccinea,2i 
Ceanothus  americanus,  270 
Cerastium  arvense,  219 
Chelidonium  majus,  127 


2>9^ 


WILD  FLOWERS 


INDEX  TO  LATIN  NAMES 


Chelone  glabra,  86 
Chimaphila  tnaculata,67 
Chimaphila  umbellata,66 
Chiogenes  hispidula,  291 
Chrysanthemum  Leucanthemum, 
Chrysopsis  mariana,  169 
Cichorium  Intybus,  389 
Cicuta  maculata,  280 
Cimicif  uga  racemosa,  240 
Circaea  alpina,  276 
Circaea  lutetiana,  275 
Cirsium  arvense,  388 
Cirsium  lanceolatum,  386 
Cirsium  pumilum,  387 
Claytonia  virginica,  222 
Clematis  crispa,  331 
Clematis  Viorna,  331 
Clematis  virginiana,  236 
Clematis  verticillaris,  329 
Clintonia  borealis,  103 
CoUinsonia  canadensis,  160 
Commelina  virginica,  319 
Convolvulus  sepium,82 
Coptis  trifolia,  238 
Corallorrhiza  maculata,  7 
Corallorrhiza  trifida,8 
Cornus  canadensis,  284 
Corydalis  aurea,  128 
Corydalis  sempervirens,  41 
Cuscuta  Gronovii,  294 
Cypripedium  acaule,  29 
Cypripedium  hirsutum,  213 
Cypripedium  pubescens,  107 
Cypripedium  parviflorum,  106 

Datura  Stramonium, 296 
Daucus  Carota,  283 
Dentaria  diphylla,  251 
Dentaria  laciniata,  253 
Desmodium  nudiflorum,  334 
Dianthus  Armeria,  40 
Dicentra  canadensis,  249 
Dicentra  Cucullaria,  247 
Dicentra  ezimia,  249 


Dodecatheon  Meadia,  74 
Drosera  rotundifolia,  253 

ECHIUM   VULGARE,  348 

313        E-pifagus  virginiana,  24 
Epigaea  repens,  73 
Epilobium  angustifolium,  64 
Epilobium  coloratum,  65 
Epipactis  pubescens,  216 
Erigeron  annuus,  306 
Erigeron  pulchellus,  384 
Erythronium  albidum,  103 
Erythronium  americanum,  100 
Eupatorium  perfoliatum,  301 
Eupatorium  purpureum,  89 
Eupatorium  urticaefolium,  303 

Fragaria  virginiana, 259 

Galium  Aparine,297 
Galium  tinctorium,  298 
Galium  triflorum,  298 
Galium  verum,  168 
Gaultheria  procumbens,  290 
Gentiana  Andrewsii,  345 
Gentiana  crinita,  344 
Gerardia  flava,  166 
Gerardia  pedicularia,  165 
Gerardia  tenuifolia,87 
Geranium  maculatum,  55 
Geranium  Robertianum,  57 
Geum  canadense,  260 
Gnaphalium  polycephalum,  310 

Habenaria  blephariglottis,  214 
Habenaria  ciliaris,  108 
Habenaria  fimbriata,325 
Habenaria  flava,  io8 
Habenaria  lacera,  1 10 
Habenaria  orbiculata,  214 
Habenaria  psycodes,  325 
Hedeoma  pulegioides,  356 
Helenium  autumnale,  188 
Helianthemum  canadense,  147 

397 


INDEX  TO  LATIN  NAMES 


WILD  FLOWERS 


Helianthus  annuus,  184 
Helianthus  giganteus,  186 
Helianthus  tuberosus,  186 
Hepatica  triloba,  327 
Heracleum  lanatum,  28 1 
Hibiscus  Moscheutos,  61 
Hieracium  aurantiacum,  199 
Hieracium  Gronovii,  201 
Hieracium  venosum,  200 
Houstonia  caerulea,  368 
Hypoxis  hirsuta,  105 

Impatiens  pallida,  145 
Impatiens  biflora,  143 
Inula  Helenium,  182 
Iris  versicolor,  322 

Kalmia  angustifolia,  72 
Kalmia  latifolia,  70 
Krigia  virginica,  193 

Lactuca  canadensis  ,197 
Lactuca  hirsuta,  198 
Leonurus  Cardiaca,84 
Lepidium  virginicum,  250 
Liatris  squarrosa,  374 
Lilium  canadense,  99 
Lilium  philadelphicum,  6 
Lilium  superbum,  98 
Limonium  carolinianum,  343 
Linaria  canadensis,  361 
Linaria  vulgaris,  164 
Linnaea  borealis,  88 
Lobelia  cardinalis,  25 
Lobelia  inflata,  373 
Lobelia  Kalmii,  372 
Lobelia  spicata,  371 
Lobelia  siphilitica,  371 
Lupinus  perennis,  333 
Lysimachia  quadrifolia,  157 
Lysimachia  terrestris,  158 

Malva  rotundifolia,6o 
Maianthemum  canadense,  208 
Medeola  virginiana,  103 


Medicago  lupulina,  141 
Medicago  sativa,  334 
Melampyrum  lineare,  167 
Melilotus  alba,  267 
Melilotus  officinalis,  141 
Mertensia  virginica,  348 
Mentha  arvensis,  359 
Mentha  piperita,  358 
Mentha  spicata,  357 
Mimulus  ringens,  363 
Mitchella  repens,  299 
Mitella  diphylla,  256 
Monarda  didyma,  20 
Monarda  fistulosa,85 
Moneses  uniflora,  285 
Monotropa  Hypopitys,  18 
Monotropa  uniflora,  288 
Myosotis  scorpioides,  346 

Nelumbo  lutea,  114 
Nepeta  Cataria,352 
Nepeta  hederacea,  354 
Nymphaea  advena,  iii 

Oakesia  sessilifolia,  97 
Oenothera  biennis,  153 
Oenothera  fruticosa,  154 
Orchis  spectabilis,  30 
Ornithogalum  umbellatum,  207 
Orontium  aquaticum,  95 
Osmorhiza  longistylis,  279 
Oxalis  Acetosella,  53 
Oxalis  stricta,  142 
Oxalis  violacea,  55 

Panax  quinquefolium,  278 
Parnassia  caroliniana,  257 
Pastinaca  sativa,  156 
Pedicularis  canadensis,  22 
Pentstemon  hirsutus,  362 
Phlox  subulata,  83 
Phytolacca  decandra,  217 
Podophyllum  peltatum,  246 
Pogonia  ophioglossoides,  32 


398 


WILD  FLOWERS 


INDEX  TO  LATIN  NAMES 


Polygala  paucifolia,  58 
Polygala  sanguinea,  59 
Polygonatum  biflorum,  209 
Polygonum  pennsylvanicum  35 
Pontederia  cordata,  320 
Potentilla  argentea,  133 
Potentilla  canadensis,  135 
Potentilla  fructicossa,  134 
Preanthes  alba,  314 
Prunella  vulgaris,  355 
Psedera  quinquefolia,  271 
Pyrola  americana,  287 
Pyrola  elliptica,  286 
Pyrola  secunda,  286 

Ranunculus  acris,  120 
Ranunculaceae,  115 
Ranunculus  abortivus,  116 
Ranunculus  bulbosus,  120 
Ranunculus  fascicularis,  107 
Ranunculus  hispidus,  118 
Ranunculus  pennsylvanicus,  119 
Ranunculus  recurvatus,  117 
Ranunculus  repens,  119 
Ranunculus  septentrionalis,  118 
Rheiia  virginica,  63 
Rhododendron  maximum,  69 
Rhododendron  nudiflorum,  67 
Rhododendron  viscosum,  289 
Rhus  Toxicodendron,  268 
Rosa  blanda,  47 
Rosa  canina,  47 
Rosa  Carolina,  49 
Rosa  humilus,  49 
Rosa  rubiginosa,  48 
Rosaceae,  259 
Rubus  allegheniensis,  261 
Rubus  hispidus,  262 
Rubus  occidentalis,  261 
Rubus  odoratus,  44 
Rubus  parviflorus,  45 
Rubus  villosus,  263 
Rudbeckia  hirta,  183 
Rumex  Acetosella,  1 1 1 


Sabatia  angularis,  75 
Sagittaria  latifolia,  205 
Sanguinaria  canadensis,  245 
Sanicula  marilandica,  279 
Saponaria  officinalis,  38 
Sarracenia  purpurea,  14 
Saxifraga  virginiensis,  255 
Scutellaria  lateriflora,  352 
Sedum  purpureum,  322 
Senecio  aureus,  192 
Silene  latifolia,  221 
Silene  pennsylvanica,  37 
Silene  stellata,  220 
Sisyrinchium  angustifolium,  324 
Smilacina  racemosa,  207 
Smilax  heibacea,  104 
Solanum  Dulcamara,  360 
Solanum  nigrum,  295 
Solidago  bicolor,  173 
Solidago  caesia,  172 
Solidago  canadensis,  180 
Solidago  graminifolia,  181 
Solidago  juncea,  177 
Solidago  latifolia,  172 
Solidago  nemoralis,  180 
Solidago  odora,  178 
Solidago  rugosa,  179 
Solidago  sempervirens,  176 
Solidago  speciosa,  175 
Solidago  uliginosa,  174 
Solidago  ulmifolia,  178 
Solidago,  170 
Sonchus  asper,  196 
Sonchus  oleraceus,  195 
Specularia  perfoliata,  369 
Spergularia  marina,  327 
Spergularia  rubra,  326 
Spiraea  salicifolia,  258 
Spiraea  tomentosa,  43 
Spiranthes  cernua,2i5 
Stellaria  longifolia,  218 
Stellaria  media,  218 
Symplocarpus  foetidus,  4 


399 


INDEX  TO  LATIN  NAMES 


WILD  FLOWERS 


Tanacetum  vulgare,  189 
Taraxacum  officinale,  193 
Thalictrum  dioicum,  228 
Thalictrum  polygamum,  229 
Thalictrum  revolutum,  229 
Tiarella  cordifolia,  256 
Trichostema  dichotomum,  351 
Trientalis  americana,  292 
Trifolium  agragrium,  139 
Trifolium  arvense,  263 
Trifolium  hybridum,  52 
Trifolium  pratense,  50 
Trifolium  repens,  265 
Trillium  cernuum,  211 
Trillium  erectum,  321 
Trillium  grandiflorum,  210 
Trillium  undulatum,  211 
Tussilago  Farfara,  190 

Uredo,  125 

Uvularia  perfoliata,  96 

VeRATRUM  VIRIDE,  2o6 

Verbascum  Blattaria,  163 


Verbascum  Thapsus,  161 
Verbena  hastata,  349 
Vernonia  noveboracensis,  374 
Veronica  americana,  364 
Veronica  officinalis,  365 
Veronica  serpyllifolia,  367 
Veronica  virginica,  297 
Vicia  Cracca,  335 
Victoria  regia,  226 
Viola  blanda,  272 
Viola  canadensis,  274 
Violaceae,337 
Viola  conspersa,  342 
Viola  cucuUata,  340 
Viola  lanceolata,  273 
Viola  palmata,  341 
Viola  pedata,  339 
Viola  primulifolia,  274 
Viola  pubescens,  151 
Viola  rotundifolia,  149 
Viola  scabriuscula,  152 

ZlZIA  AUREA,    155 


400 


Ill 


INDEX  TO  COMMON  NAMES 


Aaron's  Rod,  i6i,  332 
Adder's  Tongue,  White,  103 
Adder's  Tongue,  Yellow,  100 
Agrimony,  Tall  Hairy,  136 
Ague-weed,  301 
Alexanders,  Golden,  155 
Alfalfa,  334 
Alleluia,  53 
All-heal,  355 
Alsike,  52 
Alum  Root,  55 
Amy-root,  293 
Anemone,  Rue,  231 
Anemone,  Star,  292 
Anemone,  Tall,  235 
Anemone,  Wood,  233 
Arbutus,  Trailing,  73 
Arethusa,  34 

Arrow-head,  Broad-leaved,  205 
Artichoke,  Jerusalem,  186 
Asarabacca,  8 

Aster,  Common  Blue  Wood,  381 
Aster,  Dense-flowered,  305 
Aster,  Early  Purple,  383 
Aster,  Frost-weed,  304 
Aster,  Golden,  169 
Aster,  Large-leaved,  376 
Aster,  Late  Purple,  379 
Aster,  Low  Showy,  377 
Aster,  Mountain,  306 
Aster,  New  England,  378 
Aster,  New  York,  382 
Aster,  Purple-stem,  383 
Aster,  Seaside  Purple,  377 
Aster,  Smooth,  381 
Asters,  The,  375 


Aster,  Various-leaved,  380 
Aster,  Wavy-leaf,  380 
Aster,  White  Heath,  304 
Aster,  White  Wood,  303 
Aster,  White  Wreath,  305 
Aster,  Whorled,  306 
Asthma  Weed,  373 
Avens,  White,  260 
Azalea,  Clammy,  289 
Azalea,  Pink,  67 
Azalea,  Purple,  67 
Azalea,  White,  289 
Azalea,  Wild,  67 

Balm,  American  Bee,  20 
Balm,  Field,  354 
Balm,  Fragrant,  20 
Balmony,  86 
Balsam,  143 
Balsam,  Sweet,  310 
Balsam,  White,  310 
Balsam-weed,  310 
Baneberry,  Red,  243 
Baneberry,  White,  241 
Barberry,  American,  126 
Barberry,  Common,  123 
Bean,  Wild,  71 
Beard-tongue,  Hairy,  362 
Beaver-poison,  280 
Bedflower,  168 
Bedstraw,  Fragrant,  298 
Bedstraw,  Ladies',  168 
Bedstraw,  StiflF  Marsh,  298 
Bedstraw,  Sweet-scented,  29! 
Bedstraw,  Yellow,  168 
Beech  Drops,  24 


401 


INDEX  TO  COMMON  NAMES 


WILD  FLOWERS 


Beech  Drops,  False,  i8 

Beefsteak  Plant,  22 

Beggar's  Button,  90 

Beggar-ticks,  187 

Behen,  221 

Bellflower,  Clasping,  369 

Bellwort,  Perfoliate,  96 

Bellwort,  Sessile-leaved,  97 

Bergamot,  Wild,  85 

Betony,  Paul's,  365 

Betony,  Wood,  22 

Bindweed,  Blue,  360 

Bindweed,  Great,  82 

Bird's  Nest,  18,  283 

Birthroot,  321 

Bishop's  Cap,  Two-leaved,  256 

Bitter  Bloom,  75 

Bitter-buttons,  189 

Bitter-herb,  86 

Bitter-root,  75 

Bittersweet,  360 

Bittersweet  (Nightshade),  360 

Bitter-weed,  179 

Blackberry,  High  Bush,  261 

Blackberry,  Low  Running,  263 

Blackberry,  Running,  262 

Blackberries,  The,  259 

Black  Cap,  261 

Black-eyed  Susan,  183 

Black-root,  297 

Blazing  Star,  Blue,  374 

Bleeding  Heart,  249 

Blister  Flowers,  120 

Bloodroot,  245 

Blow-ball,  193 

Blue  Bells,  348 

Blue  Bells  of  Scotland,  370 

Blue  Curls,  351,  355 

Blue  Flag,  Larger,  322 

Blue  Mountain  Tea,  178 

Blue  Sailors,  389 

Blue  Thistle,  348 

Bluets,  368 

Blueweed,  348 


Boneset,  301 

Boneset,  Deerwort,  303 

Boneset,  Purple,  89 

Boneset,  Tall,  89 

Bouncing  Bet,  38 

Brandy-mint,  358 

Bride-weed,  164 

Brooklime,  American,  364 

Broom,  Indian,  138 

Broom,  Yellow,  138 

Bruisewort,  38 

Brunella,  355 

Bugloss,  Viper's,  348 

Bunchberry,  284 

Burdock,  90 

Bur-marigold,  Common,  187 

Burnet  Rose,  19 

Butter-and-Eggs,  164 

Buttercup,  Bristly,  119 

Buttercup,  Bulbous,  120 

Buttercup,  Common  Meadow,  120 

Buttercup,  Creeping,  119 

Buttercup,  Early,  117 

Buttercup,  Hispid,  118 

Buttercup,  Marsh,  118 

Buttercup,  Swamp,  118 

Buttercup,  Tall,  120 

Buttercups,  The,  115 

Buttercup,  Tufted,  117 

Butter  Flowers,  120 

Butterfly-weed,  159 

Calamus,  95 

Calf-Kill,  72 

Calico  Bush,  70 

Calopogon,  33 

Camomile,  Fetid,  312 

Campion,  Bladder,  221 

Campion,  Corn,  35 

Campion,  Starry,  220 

Cancer-root,  24 

Canker-bloom,  47 

Canker-root  (Goldthread),  238,  343 

Cankerweed,  White,  314 


402 


WILD  FLOWERS 


INDEX  TO  COMMON  NAMES 


Cankerwort,   193 

Cardinal  Flower,  25 

Carpenter's  Herb,  355 

Carrion  Flower,  104 

Carrot,  Wild,  283 

Catchfly,  37 

Catmint,  352 

Catnip,  352 

Cat's  Foot,  354 

Cat-whin,  47 

Celandine,  Greater,  127 

Charlock,  129 

Cheese  Flower,  60 

Cheese-rennet,  168 

Chickweed,  Common,  218 
Chickweed,  Field,  219 
Chickweed,  Red,  19 
Chicory,  389 
Chinquapin,  Water,  114 
Cinquefoil,  Hoary,  133 
Cinquefoil,  Shrubby,  134 
Cinquefoil,  Silvery,  133 
Citronella,  160 
Clamoun,  70 
Claytonia,  222 
Cleavers,  297 
Clematis,  Marsh,  331 
Clematis,  Purple,  329 
Cleverwort,  297 
Clintonia,  Yellow,  103 
Clover,  Alsatian,  52 
Clover,  Blackseed  Hop,  141 
Clover,  Brazilian,  334 
Clover,  Chilian,  334 
Clover,  Dutch,  265 
Clover,  Honeysuckle,  265 
Clover,  Hop,  139 
Clover,  Meadow,  50 
Clover,  Old-field,  263 
Clover,  PArple,  50 
Clover,  Pussy,  263 
Clover,  Rabbit-foot,  263 
Clover,  Red,  50 
Clover,  Stone,  263 


Clover,  Swedish,  52 

Clover,  Tree,  267 

Clover,  White,  265 

Clover,  White  Sweet,  267 

Clover,  Yellow,  139 

Clover,  Yellow  Sweet,  141 

Cocash,  383 

Cockle  Bur,  90 

Cockle,  Corn,  35 

Cod-head,  86 

Cohosh,  241 

Cohosh,  Black,  240 

Colic-root,  212 

Coltsfoot,  190 

Columbine,  Blue,  14 

Columbine,  Small-flowered,  14 

Columbine,  Wild,  10 

Cool  wort,  256 

Coral-root,  Early,  8 

Coral-root,  Large,  7 

Cornel,  Dwarf,  284 

Cornel,  Low,  284 

Cornflower,  183 

Corpse-plant,  288 

Corydalis,  Golden,  128 

Corydalis,  Pink,  41 

Cotton-weed,  308 

Coughwort,  190 

Cowbane,  Spotted,  280 

Cow-bell,  221 

Cowslip,  American,  74 

Cowslip  (Marsh  Marigold),  121 

Cowslip,  Virginia,  348 

Cowthwort,  84 

Cow-wheat,  Narrow-leaved,  167 

Crane's-bill,  Spotted,  55 

Creeping  Charlie,  354 

Cress,  Bitter,  132 

Cress,  Rocket,  132 

Cress,  Winter,  132 

Cress,  Yellow,  132 

Crinkle-root,  251 

Crosswort,  301 

Crowfoot,  157 


403 


INDEX  TO  COMMON   NAMES 


WILD  FLOWERS 


Crowfoot,  Hooked,  117 
Cro-wfoot,  Kidney-leaved,  116 
Crowfoot,  Small-flowered,  116 
Crown-of-the-Field,  35 
Cuckoo  Button,  90 
Cucumber-root,  Indian,  103 
Culver's  Physic,  297 
Culver's-root,  297 

Daisy,  312 

Daisy,  Blue  Spring,  384 
Daisy,  Irish,  193 
Daisy,  Michaelmas,  204 
Daisy,  Ox-eye,  312 
Daisy,  Purple,  379 
Daisy,  White-weed,  313 
Daisy,  Yellow,  183 
Dandelion,  193 
Dandelion,  Dwarf,  193 
Dayflower,  Virginia,  319 
Deergrass,  63 
Devil's  Paint  Brush,  199 
Devil's  Trumpet,  296 
Dewberry,  263,  290 
Dew-plant,  253 
Dock,  Mullen,  161 
Dock,  Velvet,  161 
Dodder,  Common,  294 
Dogbane,  Spreading,  75 
Dog-fennell,  304,  312 
Dutchman's  Breeches,  247 
Dyer's-weed,  180 

Earth  Apple,  186 
Eggs-and-Bacon,  164 
Eglantine,  48 
Elecampane,  182 
Everlasting,  Early,  309 
Everlasting,  Fragrant  Life,  310 
Everlasting,  Large-flowered,  308 
Everlasting,  Life,  308 
Everlasting,  Mouse-ear,  309 
Everlasting,  Pearly,  308 
Everlasting,  Plantain-leaf,  309 


Everlasting,  Spring,  309 
Everlasting,  Sweet  Life,  310 

Fall  Flower,  305 

Farewell  Summer,  304 

Fellonwort,  360 

Fireweed,  64,  197 

Five-finger,  135 

Flag,  Sweet,  95 

Flannel-leaf,  161 

Flat-top,  374 

Flaxweed,   164 

Fleabane,  Daisy,  306 

Fleabane,  Small,  380 

Fleawort,  168 

Fleur-de-lis,  322 

Fluellin,  365 

Foam-flower,  256 

Forget-me-not,  346 

Foxglove,  Downy  False,  166 

Foxglove,  Fern-leaved  False,  165 

Frostweed,  304 

Frostweed,  Long-branched,  147 

Frost  wort,  147 

Fuller's  Herb,  38 

Gag-root,  373 
Garden  Mint,  357 
Gay  Feather,  374 
Gay  Wings,  58 
Gentian,  Bottle,  345 
Gentian,  Closed,  345 
Gentian,  Fringed,  344 
Gerardia,  Slender,  87 
Geranium,  Wild,  55 
Ghost-flower,  288 
Gill-over-the-G round,  354 
Ginger-plant,  189 
Ginger,  Wild,  8 
Ginseng,  278 
Gold-cup,  120 
Golden  Club,  95 
Golden  Jerusalem,  183 
Golden-rod,  Anise-scented,  178 


404 


WILD  FLOWERS 


INDEX  TO  COMMON  NAMES 


Golden-rod,  Blue-stemmed,  172 
Golden-rod,  Bog,  174 
Golden-rod,  Broad-leaved,    172 
Golden-rod,  Bushy,  i8i 
Golden-rod,  Canada,  180 
Golden-rod,  Early,  177 
Golden-rod,  Elm-leaved,  178 
Golden-rod,  Field,  180 
Golden-rod,  Fragrant,  181 
Golden-rod,  Gray,  180 
Golden-rod,  Noble,  175 
Golden-rod,  Plumed,  177 
Golden-rod,  Salt  Marsh,  176 
Golden-rod,  Seaside,  176 
Golden-rod,  Sharp-toothed,  177 
Golden-rod,  Showy,  175 
Golden-rod,  Sweet,  178 
Golden-rod,  Tall  Hairy,  179 
Golden-rods,  The,  170 
Golden-rod,  White,  173 
Golden-rod,  Woodland,  172 
Golden-rod,  Wreathed,  172 
Golden-rod,  Wrinkle-leaved,    179 
Golden-rod,  Zigzag,  172 
Goldthread,  238 
Goose  Grass,  297 
Grass  of  Parnassus,  257 
Grass,  Pointed  Blue-eyed,  324 
Gravel  Root,  89 
Grim  the  Collier,  199 
Ground-berry,  290 
Ground-ivy,  354 
Ground-nut,  17 
Ground-vine,  88 

Hairbell,  370 

Hardback,  43 

Harebell,  370 

Hare's-foot,  263 

Hawkbit,  200 

Hawkweed,  200 

Hawkweed,  Golden  Mouse-ear,   199 

Hawkweed,  Hairy,  201 


Hawkweed,  Orange,  199 
Hawkweed,  Tawny,  199 
Haymaids,  354 
Heal-all,  355 
Heal-all,  High,  22 
Heart-of-the-Earth,  355 
Hellebore,  American  White,  206 
Hemlock,  Water,  280 
Hepatica,  327 
Herb  Christopher,  241 
Herb  Robert,  57 
Herb  of  St.  Barbara,  133 
Hind-heal,  189 
Hog  Apple,  243 
Honey-bloom,  75 
Honey-lotus,  267 
Honeysuckle,  Swamp,  289 
Honeysuckle,  Wild,  67 
Hoodwort,  352 
Horse-balm,  160 
Horseheal,  182 
Horsefly-weed,  138 
Huntsman's  Cup,  14 
Hyssop,  W^ild,  349 

Ice-plant,  288 
Indian  Cup,  14 
Indian  Hemp,  293 
Indian  Lettuce,  287 
Indian  Paint,  245 
Indian  Paint-brush,  21 
Indian  Pipe,  288 
Indian  Plume,  20 
Indian  Poke,  206 
Indian  Posy,  310 
Indian-root,  276 
Indian  Sage,  301 
Indian  Turnip,  3 
Indigo,  Wild,  138 
Ink-berry,  217 
Ink-root,  343 
Innocence,  368 
Ironweed,  374 
Itch-weed,  206 


4^5 


INDEX  TO  COMMON  NAMES 


WILD  FLOWERS 


Ivy-bush,  70 

Ivy,  American,  271 

Ivy,  Poison,  268 

Jack-in-the-Pulpit,  3 
Jamestown  Weed,  296 
Jewel-weed,  143 
Jimson-weed,  296 
Joe  Pye  Weed,  89 

Kalmia,  70 
Kale,  Field,  129 
Kidney-leaf,  327 
Kidney  Root,  89 
King  Cup,  120 
Knotweed,  Pink,  35 

Ladies'  Tresses,  Nodding,  215 

Lady's  Slipper,  Large  Yellow,  107 

Lady's  Slipper,  Pink,  29 

Lady's  Slipper,  Showy,  213 

Lady's  Slipper,  Small  Yellow,  106 

Lady's  Slipper,  Stemless,  29 

Lady's  Thimble,  370 

Lamb  Kill,  72 

Lamb-mint,  358 

Larabell,  184 

Laurel,  American,  70 

Laurel,  Great,  69 

Laurel,  Ground,  73 

Laurel,  Mountain,  70 

Laurel,  Sheep,  72 

Lavender,  Sea,  343 

Leather  Flower,  331 

Lemon,  Wild,  243 

Lettuce,  Canker,  287 

Lettuce,  Hairy,  198 

Lettuce,  Hare's,  195 

Lettuce,  Indian,  287 

Lettuce,  Red  Wood,  198 

Lettuce,  Tall,  197 

Lettuce,  White,  314 

Lettuce,  Wild,  197 

Life-root,  192 


Lily,  Cow,  III 

Lily,  Fawn,  100 

Lily,  Field,  99 

Lily,  Flame,  6 

Lily,  Large  Yellow  Pond,  in 

Lily,  Meadow,  99 

Lily,  Philadelphia,  6 

Lily,  Pond,  224 

Lily,  Red,  6 

Lily,  Trout,  100 

Lily,  Turk's  Cap,  98 

Lily,  Wild,  99 

Lily,  Wood,  6 

Lily,  Yellow,  99 

Lily  of  the  Valley,  False,  208 

Lion's  Foot,  314 

Lion's-tooth,   193 

Live-forever,  332 

Live-long,  332 

Liverleaf,  327 

Liverwort,  Noble,  327 

Lobelia,  Bladder-pod,  373 

Lobelia,  Blue,  371 

Lobelia,  Brook,  372 

Lobelia,  Great,  371 

Lobelia,  Pale  Spiked,  371 

Lobelia,  Red,  25 

Loosestrife,  Bulb-bearing,   158 

Loosestrife,  Four-leaved,  157 

Loosestrife,  Whorled,  157 

Lotus,  American,  1 14 

Lousewort,  22 

Love-me,  346 

Love-vine,  294 

Lucerne,  334 

Lungwort  Tree,  348 

Lupine,  Wild,  333 

Madder,  Wild,  298 
Mad-dog,  352 
Madnep,  156 
Madweed,  352 
Mallow,  Dwarf,  60 
Mallow,  Low,  60 


406 


WILD  FLOWERS 


INDEX  TO  COMMON  NAMES 


Mallow,  ]\Iarsh,  62 
Mallow,  Running,  60 
Mallow,  Swamp  Rose,  61 
Mandrake,  243 
Mare's  Tail,  304 
Marigold,  Marsh,  121 
Marigold,  Rayless,   187 
Master-wort,  281 
May  Apple,  243 
Mayflower,  73 
May-weed,  312 
Meadow  Beauty,  63 
Meadow  Gowan,  121 
Meadow  Rue,  Early,  228 
Meadow  Rue,  Purplish,  229 
Meadow  Rue,  Tall,  229 
Meadow  Scabish,  383 
Meadow-sweet,  American,  258 
Meadow-sweet,  Willow-leaved,  25 
Medic,  Black,  141 
Medic,  Purple,  334 
Melilot,  White,  267 
Melilot,  Yellow,  141 
Mercury,  268 
Midsummer-men,  332 
Milfoil,  310 

Milkweed,  Common,  79 
Milkweed,  Four-leaved,  82 
Milkweed,  Hairy,  79 
Milkweed,  Poke,  81 
Milkweed,  Purple,  78 
Milkweed,  Swamp,  78 
Milkweed,  Tall,  81 
Milkweeds,  The,  76 
Milkweed,  Trumpet,  197 
Milkweed,  Whorled,  293 
Milkwort,  Field,  59 
Milkwort,  Fringed,  58 
Milkwort,  Purple,  59 
Mint,  American  Wild,  359 
Mint,  Brandy,  358 
Mint,  Garden,  357 
Mint,  Lamb,  358 
Mint,  Mountain,  20 


Mitrewort,  False,  256 
Mitrewort,  256 
Moccasin  Flower,  29 
Monkey  Flower,  363 
Moonshine,  308 
Morning-glory,  Wild,  82 
Motherwort,  84 
Mountain  Tea,  290 
Mouse-ear,  346 
Moxie  Plum,  291 
Mullein,  Great,  161 
Mullein,  Moth,  161 
Musquash  Root,  280 
Mustard,  Black,  130 
Mustard,  White,  i->9 
Mustard,  Wild,  129 

Nelumbo,  114 
Nep,  352 

New  Jersey  Tea,  270 
Nigger-head,  183 
Nightshade,  360 
Nightshade,  Black,  295 
Nightshade,  Common,  295 
Nightshade,  Enchanter's,  275 
None-so-Pretty,  308 
Nose-bleed,  310 

Oak,  Poison,  268 

Oat,  Wild,  79 

Old  Maid's  Bonnets,  333 

Old  Man's  Beard,  236 

Old  Man's  Pepper,  310 

Opium,  Wild,    197 

Orange-root,  159 

Orchis,  Large  Purple  Fringed,  325 

Orchis,  Large  Round-leaved,  214 

Orchis,  Ragged,  no 

Orchis,  Showy,  30 

Orchis,  Small  Pale  Green,  108 

Orchis, Smaller  Purple  Fringed,  325 

Orchis,  Tubercled,  108 

Orchis,  White  Fringed,  214 

Orchis,  Yellow  Fringed, 108 


407 


INDEX  TO  COMMON  NAMES 


WILD  FLOWERS 


Orpine,  332 
Ox-eye,  188 

Painted-cup,  Scarlet,  21 

Parsnip,  Cow,  281 

Parsnip,  Early,   155 

Parsnip,  Golden  Meadow,  155 

Parsnip,  Wild,  156 

Partridge-berrry,  290,  299 

Pea,  Partridge,  138 

Pea,  Wild,  333 

Peanut  Hog,  336 

Peanut  Wild,  336 

Pennyroyal,  American,  356 

Pennyroyal,  Bastard,  351 

Pennyroyal,  Mock,  356 

Pepper-grass,  250 

Pepperidge  Bush,  123 

Peppermint,  358 

Pepper,  Old  Man's  310 

Pepper-root,  253 

Persicaria,  35 

Pickerel-weed,  320 

Pigeon-berry,  217 

Pimpernel,  Red,  19 

Pimpernel,  Scarlet,  19 

Pinesap,  18 

Pink,  Deptford,  40 

Pink,  Grass,  33 

Pink,  Ground,  83 

Pink,  Hedge,  38 

Pink,  Moss,  83 

Pink,  Old  Maid's,  38 

Pink,  Swamp,  289 

Pink,  Wild,  37 

Pinxter  Flower,  67 

Pipsissewa,  66 

Pitch-forks,  187 

Pitcher-plant,  14 

Plantain,  Downy  Rattlesnake,  216 

Plantain,  Poor  Robin's,  200,  384 

Plantain,  Robert's,  384 

Plantain,  Robin's,  384 

Plantain,  White,  309 


Pleurisy-root,  159 
Pogonia,  Rose,  32 
Poison-berry,  360 
Poison-flower,  360 
Poke,  217 

Poor  Man's  Weather-glass,  19 
Poppy,  Frothy,  221 
Poppy,  Spattering,  221 
Potato,  Canada,  186 
Poverty,   310 
Prairie  Weed,  134 
Pride  of  Ohio,  74 
Primrose,  Evening,  153 
Prince's   Pine,  66 
Puccoon,  Red,  245 
Pussy-toes,  309 

Quaker  Bonnets,  368 
Quaker  Ladies,  368 
Quaker  Lady,  258 
Queen  Anne's  Lace,  283 
Queen  of  the  Meadow,  89,  258 

Rabbit-foot,  277 
Ragwort,  Golden,  192 
Raspberry,  Black,  261 
Raspberry,  Purple  Flowering,  44 
Raspberry,  Virginia,  44 
Raspberry,  White  Flowering,  45 
Rattlesnake  Herb,  241 
Rattlesnake  Plantain,  Downy,  216 
Rattlesnake  Root,  314 
Rattlesnake-weed,  200 
Red  Robin,  57 
Red-root,  270 
Red  Shanks,  57 
Red-stalks,  383 
Rhododendron,  American,  69 
Rhododendron,  Great,  69 
Rock-Rose,  Canadian,  147 
Rocket,  Yellow,  132 
Rosa-Solis,  253 
Rose  Bay,  69 
Rose,  Canker,  47 


408 


WILD  FLOWERS 


INDEX  TO  COMMON  NAMES 


Rose,  Corn,  35 
Rose,  Dog,  47 
Rose,  Low,  49 
Rose  Mallow,  61 
Rose,  Meadow,  47 
Rose,  Pasture,  49 
Rose  Petty,  384 
Rose  Pink,  75 
Rose,  Smooth,  47 
Rose,  St.  Mary's,  45 
Rose,  Swamp,  49 
Rose  Tree,  69 
Roses,  Wild,  45 
Rose  of  Jericho,  45 
Rosemary,  Marsh,  343 
Rosemary,  White,  304 
Rue  Anemone,  231 

Sabbatia,  Square-stemmed,  75 

Sage,  Indian,  301 

Sage,  Wild,  301 

Sage  of  Bethlehem,  357 

Saint   John's-wort,   145 

Sand  Spurry,  326 

Sandwort,  Purple,  326 

Sanguinary,  310 

Sanicle,  279 

Sanicle,  Indian,  303 

Sanicle,  White,  303 

Sarsaparilla,  Virginian,  277 

Sarsaparilla,  Wild,  277 

Saxifrage,  Early,  255 

Scabious,  Sweet,  306 

Scoke,  217 

Scorpion  Grass,  346 

Scrub-brush,  304 

Sea  Thrift,  343 

Senna,  American,  137 

Senna,  Wild,  137 

Sensitive  Plant,  Wild,  138 

Shamrock,  53 

Sheep-poison,  72 

Sheep-weed,  38 

Shell-flower,  86 


Shepherd's  Clock,  19 

Shepherd's  Purse,  250 

Shepherd's  Weather-glass,  19 

Shin-leaf,  287 

Shooting  Star,  74 

Silkweed,   79 

Silver-leaf,  143,  308 

Silver-rod,    173 

Silverweed,  76 

Skullcap,  352 

Skunk  Cabbage,  4 

Smartweed,  35 

Snake  Berry,  360 

Snake  Flower,  348 

Snake-grass,  346 

Snake-head,  86 

Snake-mouth,  32 

Snakeroot,  Black,  240,  279 

Snakeroot,  Canada,  8 

Snakeroot,  Large  Button,  374 

Snakeroot,  White,  303 

Snapweed,    143 

Snowball,  Wild,  270 

Snowberry,  Creeping,  291 

Soapwort,  38 

Soldier's  Caps,  247 

Solomon's   Seal,  Hairy,  209 

Solomon's  Seal,  True,  209 

Solomon's  Seal,  Twin-flowered,  209 

Solomon's  Seal,  Two-leaved,  208 

Sorrel,  Field,  in 

Sorrel,  Lady's,  142 

Sorrel,  Sheep,  ni 

Sour  Grass,  11 1 

Sow-thistle,   Common,    195 

Sow-thistle,  Sharp-fringed,  196 

Sow-thistle,  Spring,  196 

Spatterdock,  in 

Spearmint,  357 

Speedwell,  Common,  365 

Speedwell,  Thyme-leaved,  367 

Speedwell,  Upland,  365 

Spoon-wood,  70 

Spikenard,  American,  276 


409 


INDEX  TO  COMMON  NAMES 


WILD  FLOWERS 


Spikenard,  Small,  277 
Spikenard,  Wild,  277 
Spignet,  276 
Spring  Beauty,  222 
Squaw-mint,  356 
Squaw-weed,  Swamp,  192 
Squirrel  Corn,  249 
Star  Anemone,  292 
Star-flower,  292 
Star-grass,  212 
Star-grass,  Yellow,  105 
Star  of  Bethlehem,  207 
Starwort,  Yellow,  182 
Steeple  Bush,  43 
Stickweed,  187 
Stitchwort,  Long-leaved,  21S 
Stick-tight,  187 
Stone-root,  160 
Stramonium,  296 
Strangleweed,  294 
Straw  Bell,  96 
Strawberry,  Scarlet,  259 
Strawberry,  Virginia,  259 
Strawberry,  Wild,  135,  259 
Succory,  389 

Sundew,  Round-leaved,  253 
Sundrops,  Common,  154 
Sunflower,  Common,  184 
Sunflower,  Giant,  186 
Sunflower,  Swamp,  188 
Sunflower,  Tall,  186 
Swallow-wort,  76,  127 
Swanweed,  188,  383 
Sweetbrier,  48 
Sweet  Cicely,  279 
Sweet  Clover,  White,  267 
Sweet  Clover,  Yellow,  141 


Tetter-wort,  127 
Thimble-flower,  355 
Thimble-weed,  235 
Thistle,  Bur,  386 
Thistle,  Canada,  388 
Thistle,  Common,  386 
Thistle,  Corn,  388 
Thistle,  Cursed,  388 
Thistle,  Fragrant,  387 
Thistle,  Hard,  388 
Thistle,  Milk,  195 
Thistle,  Pasture,  387 
Thistle,  Spear,  386 
Thistles,  The,  385 
Thistle,  Way,  388 
Tickweed,  334,  356 
Tinegrass,  335 
Toad-flax,  Blue,  361 
Toad-flax,  Wild,  361 
Toad-flax,  Yellow,  164 
Tobacco,  Indian,  373 
Tobacco,  Ladies',  309 
Tobacco,  Wild,  373 
Toothwort,  Cut-leaved,  253 
Toothwort,  Two-leaved,  251 
Touch-me-not,  Pale,  145 
Touch-me-not,  Spotted,  143 
Traveller's  Joy,  236 
Trefoil,  Black,  141 
Trefoil,  Sour,  53 
Trefoil,  Tick,  334 
Trillium,  Painted,  211 
Trillium,  Purple,  321 
Trumpet  Weed,  89, 197 
Turtle-head,  86 
Twin-berry,  299 
Twin-flower,  88 


Tank, 156 
Tansy,  189 
Tare,  335 
Tea-berry,  290 
Tea,  Oswego,  20 
Ten-o'Clock,  207 


Valerian,  False,  192 
Vein-leaf,  200 
Venus's  Looking-glass,  369 
Venus's  Pride,  368 
Vervain,  Blue,  349 
Vetch,  Blue,  335 


410 


WILD  FLOWERS 


INDEX  TO  COMMON  NAMES 


Vetch,  Cow,  335 

W 

Vetch,  Tufted,  335 

W 

Violet,  American  Dog,  342 

w 

Violet,  Bird's-foot,  339 

w 

Violet,  Canada,  274 

\v 

Violet,  Common  Blue,  340 

\v 

Violet,  Dog's  Tooth,  100 

\v 

Violet,  Downy  Yellow,  151 

w 

Violet,  Early  Blue,  341 

w 

Violet,  Early  Yellow,  149 

w 

Violet,  Hooded  Blue,  340 

w 

Violet,  Lance-leaved,  273 

w 

Violet,  Meadow,  340 

w 

Violet,  Round-leaved,  149 

w 

Violet,  Smooth  Yellow,  152 

w 

Violet,  Sweet  White,  272 

w 

Violets,  The,  337 

w 

Vipers's  Bugloss,  348 

w 

Virgin's  Bower,  236 

W( 

Virgin's  Bower,  Purple,  329 

w 

Virginia  Creeper,  271 

w 

Wake-Robin,  Ill-scented,  321 
Wake-Robin,  Large-flowered,  210 
Wake-Robin,  Nodding,  21 1 
Wake-Robin,  Painted,  211 
Wankapin,  114 
Water  Lily,  Royal,  226 
Water  Lily,  Sweet-scented  White,  224 
Water  Nymph,  224 
White-weed,  313 


cky,  72 
Id  Brier,  47 
llow-herb.  Great,  64 
llow-herb,  Night,  153 
llow-herb,  Purple-leaved,  65 
llow-herb,  Spiked,  64 
nd  Flower,  233 
nd-root,  159 

ntergreen,  Chickweed,  292 
ntergreen,  Creeping,  290 
ntergreen,  False,  287 
ntergreen.  Flowering,  58 
ntergreen.  One-flowered,  285 
ntergreen,  One-sided,  286 
ntergreen.  Pear-leaved,  287 
ntergreen,  Round-leaved,  287 
ntergreen.  Spotted,  67 
ntergreen.  Spring,  290 

Wood  Sorrel,  True,  53 

Wood  Sorrel,  Violet,  55 

Wood  Sorrel,  White,  53 

Wood  Sorrel,  Yellow,  142 

Woodbine  (Virginia  Creeper),  271 

Woundwort,  Soldier's,  3 10 

Yarrow,  310 
Yellow  Star,  188 
Yellow-top,  177 
Yellow-weed,  180 
Youthwort,  253 


411 


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